Hidden Acres Christian Center

From a modest start in 1979, Hidden Acres is now the largest camp in Iowa and one of the most significant in the entire Midwest. With a campus that covers 640 acres, it is able to accommodate large groups but also provide intimacy for smaller groups. While they provide excellent summer camps for all ages, they have the ability to provide programmed retreats and to host retreats that you design. Growth has required us to recently complete a state of the art dining center that can handle 1,000 guests. The ministry of this camp is one of the greatest blessings of our EFCA Central. Contact Hidden Acres today to schedule your retreat!

Student Ministries

The goal of Reach Students Central District (RSCD) is to encourage, equip, and serve the churches and leaders of the EFCA Central as they build ministries that lead students to follow Jesus.

Rob Sanders and Brent Thomas along with the entire RSCD Support Team, are here to help you understand and grow your ministry. There is always an open invitation for any youth pastor or volunteer leader to join us at any of the "every-six-weeks" morning meetings. These gatherings are always followed by lunch to build relationships while discussing and planning ministry.

Women's Disciple-Making & Leadership

With Jesus front and center, the purpose of this ministry is to connect, encourage and equip women as disciple-makers and ministry leaders in support of EFCA Central churches.  

We are alongsiders ... coming alongside you as you live out the mission of making followers of Jesus Christ in whatever sphere He has you, including but not limited to children, youth, women's, worship, and administrative roles. 

Please visit our website and/or contact me, Samantha Frykholm ([email protected]), for more information on how we can serve you and your ministry.  I value personal relationships so please reach out. 

EFCA Central Crisis Response

In the wake of crisis, a unique opportunity for ministry arises. We are committed to equipping and supporting local churches as they respond with the love of Christ—through compassionate service, intentional prayer, and gospel-centered care.

Our role is to come alongside churches within EFCA Central, offering strategic support as they minister to their communities. This support may include guidance, prayer, volunteer mobilization, and training—tailored to the specific needs of each situation.

We prioritize partnership with the local church in the affected area, empowering them to lead the response. EFCA Central Crisis Response serves in a supportive role, working collaboratively to represent Christ and the church within the community.

While our current capacity limits our ability to provide a comprehensive response in every situation, we remain committed to doing what we can. In cases of widespread or long-term crisis, we coordinate closely with ReachGlobal Crisis Response to ensure a more robust and sustained engagement.

Some examples of the types of responses could include training sessions with churches and volunteers, tree and debris clean-up after a storm, mucking and gutting homes after a flood, meal distribution, prayer, and Bible studies.

Dave Clarke serves as our Crisis Response Champion. Feel free to contact him at [email protected] to learn more about training or assistance with a crisis response in your community.

To give to the EFCA Central Crisis Response efforts, click here for more information.

Retirement & Nursing Home

Westhaven Community is a ministry of EFCA Central. Each year at our annual leadership conference, we elect godly and effective board members who make sure we have a competent and highly skilled administrator, staff, and the very best facility possible. We believe that this facility, our EFCA Home in Boone, Iowa, is worthy of your consideration for you and your loved ones. For more information connect with our Chaplain, Bryan Latchaw ([email protected]).

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is a premier institution preparing the next generation of ministers and academic scholars. The Trinity Faculty is among the most widely published in evangelical academia and has deeply influenced the leaders shaping the present and future of Evangelical Christianity across the globe. Click on the link above to see if Trinity would be a good fit for you.

Our insurance partner is Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. If your church is looking for insurance coverage, we recommend you contact Brotherhood Mutual for a quote on coverage or you can contact their agencies that represent them.

• Arkansas, Iowa & Missouri – please ask for Janice Smith (Lightwell Insurance Advisors IA/MO and James Greene & Associates) 

Contact info: 800-422-3384, ext 113 or [email protected]

• S. Dakota – please ask for Koln Oppold (Lightwell Insurance Advisors) 

Contact info: 701-289-2321 or [email protected]

Apex exists to serve the local church by helping identify, invite, and equip the next generation for a lifetime of ministry and mission.

We come alongside pastors and ministry leaders to educate, equip, and encourage adults to know and mobilize their students and young adults. When a student begins to ask, “Could God use my life for ministry or missions?”—Apex helps you know what to do next.

Our role is not to replace the local church, but to partner with you. We help identify those who may be called, clarify that calling through training, and introduce them to meaningful next steps—whether that includes short-term experiences, leadership development, or exploring longer-term opportunities.

While Apex serves churches across the EFCA nationally, we are committed to supporting the EFCA Central District and working alongside ministries like ReachStudents Central District to strengthen what God is already doing in your church.

If you have a student or young adult you are investing in—or if you are looking for practical ways to develop and send the next generation—we would love to connect.

Reach out to start a conversation or schedule a call to explore how Apex can serve you and your church.