Iowa’s Top 10 in 2023

Overview

We will be conducting an outreach campaign this year to reach the top 10 cities in Iowa (by population) with the good news of the Gospel. Many have not heard the gospel or have been deceived by the evil one to abandon faith in Christ and His Kingdom. Consider the parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13.

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
-Matthew 13:18-23

In each city we will spend a couple of hours distributing tracts, engaging in Christ-centered conversations, and explaining the gospel. We also plan to bring some Bibles to give away and may do some open-air preaching to proclaim the Gospel message to those who happen to be there. Please pray and consider joining us in this labor of compassion for the lost.

If you are from or near one of these cities and would like to participate in one or all of these outreach events, please register. After you register, I will contact you to discuss and work out how you want to be involved and share details of each event.

If you are new to evangelism, let us know and we can provide some basic training resources and some coaching at each location.

If you would like to support this outreach by prayer or support financially for Bibles, tracts, or travel, please contact me or donate through these links:

Schedule

March 17 - September 30, 2023

March 17	Des Moines	Pop: 213,545
Complete: St. Patrick's Day Parade
April 1	Cedar Rapids	Pop: 136,523
Complete: Green Square Park
April 1	Iowa City	Pop: 74,240
Complete: Pedestrian Mall
April 15	Waterloo	Pop: 67,695
Complete: Downtown
May 20	Sioux City	Pop: 85,081
Complete: Downtown
June 10	Davenport	Pop: 101,725
Complete: Picker's Paradise
July 8	Ankeny	Pop: 66,346
Summer Fest Parade
July 8	West Des Moines	Pop: 67,640
Jordan Creek Mall
September 9	Ames	Pop; 65,522
Iowa vs Iowa State Game @ Tailgate
September 23	Council Bluffs	Pop: 62,617

This event is passed, registration has been closed.

Speaker Information

Jon Neifert (Tulip Gospel Outreach)

Jon Neifert is the founder of Tulip Gospel Outreach and finds great joy in sharing the gospel message and telling others of the work of Christ. Jon has has attended and served as a team leader for the Living Waters Ambassador’s Academy and has experience sharing the gospel and coordinating outreach events since 2017.

Jon, his wife, and two sons enjoy technology, outdoors, hiking and wildlife, and raising animals on their acreage near Pella, IA. Jon has a degree in Applied Computer Science form William Penn University. He grew up as a pastors kid in the Friends church. He currently attends and serves his local church, Tracy Christian Reformed Church.

Tony Didlo (Cornerstone Church, Altoona)

Tony Didlo is the Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Altoona and has a passion to reach the lost. He has been preaching the gospel in the Des Moines area for over 20 years. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Jails, Prison or the streets fulfilling the great commission is the focus. He has attended the Ambassadors Academy and studied the School of Biblical Evangelism with the Way of the Master ministry. Tony has experience in teaching and equipping others to reach the lost.

Shawn Barr (Grace Fellowship Church)

Shawn is the Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Des Moines, IA. He has been a pastor since 1997 serving in three different churches as a solo pastor, executive pastor, church planter and lead pastor. He is a graduate of Iowa State University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Delana. Together they have four children and six grandchildren. He is the author of “Fire in your Bones”, a book about open-air preaching. He would like to someday have a German Wirehair Griffon.

Location

Locations or events at each city are tentative and will be updated closer to the date of the outreach. Please check back the week of the event, or register and receive an email update when locations are determined.

Event Sponsor: Jon Neifert