About elevate
Our Story
We are so excited that Elevate Sergeant Bluff is the first church plant from Elevate Community Church in Sioux City, which was the result of Chris Ver Steeg’s vision to create a place where all people would be welcome to be part of the church. Chris also had the vision to plant and launch churches in neighboring towns. Just five years later, here we are in Sergeant Bluff, excited about how God has already started to move.
In the beginning stages of the Sergeant Bluff church plant, God assembled a team of people dedicated to preparing and getting things in place for the future church. Around the same time, God began to move in my heart, thousands of miles away in California. For several years I felt like God was redirecting my passion from youth ministry to shepherding a church. God aligned Chris and me through my father-in-law, Verlyn Schaap, who shares Chris’ heart for the lost and for spreading the gospel.
As my wife and I prayed and sought God’s will, He opened the door to be part of Elevate Sergeant Bluff. We prayed and sought counsel for this opportunity to know God’s will in leading us to Iowa. It became clear that God had been preparing my heart and experiences for such a time as this. The Lord affirmed this calling, and we moved our family to the midwest!
In January 2023, we began services weekly. We’ve been in awe of seeing God move in such powerful ways, and we’ve experienced firsthand His love and heart for our community. It’s been so exciting to see how God is bringing so many people from all over the area — even different parts of the world. We want all nations to come together and experience the Love of Jesus and grow in their identity in Christ. We truly want to be disciples of Jesus and grow in our understanding of what it means to be followers of Jesus. To God be the Glory!
- Pastor Josh
Elevate Church is really an amazingly beautiful orchestration of what God does when people submit to following Jesus.
-Pastor Josh Camping
OUR BELIEFS.
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on a cross and rose again so that we could have the forgiveness of our sins and a restored relationship with our heavenly Father. We believe that through a committed relationship with Jesus that lives are changed and your eternity is secure. (John 14:6)
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16)
We believe that God has given each person gifts, abilities, passions and a purpose to help serve and further His kingdom. (Ephesians 4)
Our values.
Outreach.
Everything we do needs to be seen through the lens of the Gospel. We challenge people to take a leap of faith together as we become the hands and feet of Jesus by loving our neighbors, serving our city, and sending people out to impact the world.
Truth.
Our desire is to provide solid teaching that is culturally relevant while remaining Biblically sound.
authentic Community.
We believe that life change happens best in authentic biblical community — a safe place where people can connect, ask questions, build friendships, and explore faith together. No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, you will be welcomed and accepted here at Elevate.
Engaging Worship.
We want to provide music that elevates the name of Jesus and helps others to experience His presence in their lives.
Next generation.
We want to provide a space where people can encounter Jesus in an age-appropriate environment that is fun, exciting, and relevant. From kindergartners to college students, we want to do our part to reach the next generation.
our vision.
Elevate Community Church exists to help people come to know Jesus Christ, grow in their faith, and go make a difference in the world.