Spiritual Formation Studies

Hope NorthBranch offers classes and special events to aid you on your spiritual journey, whether you are a new Christian or a lifelong believer. All classes are held at NorthBranch Station. 

Let Prayer Change Your Life
Wednesdays, Jan. 6 – March 3 (will not meet Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17),
7:00-8:15 pm, NB Station – Rm 105 
Audience: Believers, Followers. 
Facilitator: Jen Segar spiritualformation@hopenorthbranch
Cost: $5 for workbook – available at the first class.
No matter where you are in your prayer life, this class will help you: revitalize your daily discussions with God; provide structure to help you focus; make your prayer life exciting; shift your priorities and perspective to a heavenly point of view; and teach you how to listen to God and discern his will for your life.

School of Listening Prayer:  
Saturdays, Jan. 9 & 23; Feb. 6 & 20; March 6 & 20; April 10; 9:00-11:00 am
(will meet from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on Feb. 6), NB Station – Rm 104
Audience: Believers, Followers, Servants
Facilitator: Pastor Richard Webb
The School for Listening Prayer is an interactive and hands-on-training ministry for people who desire to hear the voice of God more clearly in their lives.

Financial Peace University
Wednesdays, Jan. 6 – March 31, 6:30-8:00 pm,
NB Station – Rm 103
Audience: All
Facilitator: Matt Heinen
Cost: $95 per kit – available at first class
This program will give you biblically-based strategies for managing your personal finances using a powerful combination of humor, visual aids, props and personal stories to help participants learn in a safe, fun and engaging environment. FPU has helped many families get out of debt and understand the principles of good stewardship.

Pastor’s Bible Study
Wednesdays, Jan. 6 – Feb. 10, 6:30-7:45 pm, NB Station, Rm 107
Facilitators: Pastor Scott Rains and Intern Pastor Jeremy Johnson
Audience: All
If you are looking for a place to belong, a place to be known, join Pastor Scott Rains and Intern Pastor Jeremy Johnson for six Wednesdays of Community.

Community Life 

God designed us to be in community. We truly are better when we are connected together (John 17:20-23). The following Community Life opportunities are available for you to connect and build relationships, study and grow, pray for each other and the church, and serve as God leads you.

Community Life for Small Groups
The four avenues for getting connected into a group at Hope NorthBranch are: 

1.  2010: Life Together. During the season of Lent (40 days starting with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17), we will invite you on a journey called  “Extreme Makeover – Hope Edition,” teaching you and encouraging you to practice some basic spiritual disciplines. In addition to weekend services emphasizing this theme, we will also be encouraging you to connect to a new or existing small group for the sake of experiencing life,  growing in faith, and serving together. Our textbooks for this time of spiritual growth and fellowship will be the Bible and a small group/devotional study guide that will help you and your group navigate more thoroughly through the spiritual disciplines and discussions about what it means to be church and community together. Watch for details coming soon.

2.  ALPHA

3.  Community Life for Men, Women and 50+ ministries have opportunities to connect into small groups.
See below for all opportunities for men, women and 50+

4.  Form your own small groups. We help by supplying small group leader training – both an intro to small groups, as well as periodic ongoing training dealing with specific issues. If you are interested in forming your own small group, please contact Betty Fleming, Spiritual Formation Coordinator, at spiritualformation@hopenorthbranch

Community Life for Men

For more information about Community Life for Men at Hope NorthBranch contact Gordon Ploeger at spiritualformation@hopenorthbranch.org.

Quest for Authentic Manhood - Session I 
Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 6 (ongoing), 6:30-8:00 pm ,
NB Station – Rm 104
Audience: All men 
Facilitators: Terry Riordan & Mark Schmidt (spiritualformation@hopenorthbranch.org)
The “Quest Journey” is designed to energize and excite men with a new sense of their masculine identity, giving them a personal manhood vision, as well as insight into what God had in mind when he first brought man into the world. During Session I, we will examine our development as men, what events in our past and present enliven us, and how to change situations that hold us back from being all that God designed us to be.

Winning at Work & Home
Fridays, beginning Jan. 8, 6:15-7:30 am, NB Station
Audience: Husbands & fathers
Facilitator: Gordon Ploeger
This class will help you elevate your game at home; help you build (or rebuild) your confidence; expand your vision; develop successful life strategies; improve your relationship with your wife or girlfriend and your relationships with your children.

  Community Life for Women

"Me, Myself and Lies"
Tuesdays, Jan 5 - Feb 9,
Rm 104 NB Station
Audience: Cost: $18 workbook available at first class
This six-week by Jennifer Rothschild encourages women to replace hidden negative thoughts and failures with positive truths from God’sWord. Rather than struggling with self-esteem, body image, stress and other unhealthy thoughts and emotions, learn to replace the lies you may have been telling yourself with the truth

WWF – Women With Faith
Audience: All women
Facilitator: Dawn Ploeger
Enjoy an evening discussing issues women face, and share ways to grow deeper in our faith.

“Captivating” DVD Study by Stasi Eldredge & Friends
Thursdays, Jan. 14 – March 25, (not meeting March 18),
7:00-8:30 pm, NB Station – Rm 104
Audience: All women
Coordinator: Dawn Ploeger
Cost: Workbook $17.99 and book $14.99, available first day of class
Sorry, childcare not available
Every woman longs to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty. During this study, you will take an intimate journey toward healing and restoration as women who know they are loved by God.

Moms’ Playgroup
Every other Tuesday, 9:30 am, NB Station or area parks and attractions
Audience: Mothers
Enjoy a fun morning with other moms and their little ones. Contact Stephanie Sickerson at spiritual@hopenorthbranch.org.

Thursday Morning Study: “Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman” by Beth Moore
Thursdays, Jan. 7 – March 11, 9:00-11:00 am, NB Station – Rm 104
Cost: Workbook available first day of class for $21
Sorry, childcare not available
Join us for a DVD study and small group discussion of the Old Testament story of Esther, whose story is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for today’s woman.

Monthly Exercise Demos
Dates: Mondays, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 8, 6:30-7:30 pm,
NB Station – Rm 107
Sorry, childcare not available
Facilitator: Geneva Ross
January is a great time to get back into exercising. Join Geneva Ross as she and other trained specialists get us excited to exercise. The March class will feature Latin Dance.

Ladies’ Craft Night
Second Fridays of the month (Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 12), 6:00-11:00 pm, NB Station – The Bay
Cost: $5 – pizza and pop will be provided, bring a snack to share
Sorry, childcare not available
Pull out those craft projects and join the girls for some fellowship and fun.

Women of Faith 2010 – “Over the Top” Friday, March 12, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm & 7:00-9:00 pm Saturday, March 13, 9:00-4:00 pm Location: Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Des Moines Contact DeeDee Godfrey

Community Life for 50+

50+ Ministry is one option for getting into a small group. 50+ Ministry desires to connect and encourage adults 50+ as they transition into the second half of their life and press on in their Christian discipleship journey. 50+ meets once a month. Watch for more details in the bulletin or contact Bob & Kathy Nervig at