Revitalization and Fresh Anointing at Christian Life

For more than 30 years, Christian Life has been serving the community of Des Moines, Iowa, by offering hope and freedom through consistent, unapologetic presentations of the gospel each week. However, when they began to face financial difficulties, the church and its lead pastor, Oscar Yturriaga, were not deterred by the challenge.

Oscar and Megan Yturriaga, ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God, have served the Lord in ministry for over 25 years. When they felt the call to pastor Christian Life, they knew that the Lord would direct their steps and bring radical revitalization to the church, despite its growing debt. Aside from owing a significant amount of money, the church had been unable to make its payments on a regular basis for several years.

After arriving in Des Moines in August of 2023, Yturriaga, the Christian Life congregation, the Iowa Ministry Network, and several surrounding churches began to rally around the cause of restoring the church to financial health. Despite the uphill climb they faced, they continued to cling to the promise that God was not done with Christian Life.

As revitalization efforts began, Yturriaga was given an “advanced and potentially terminal” diagnosis of cancer. Together, Yturriaga and Christian Life fought faithfully for a physical breakthrough, while continuing to forge ahead on planning for a new season of financial health and spiritual vitality for the church.

Despite the potential prognosis of a long, strenuous fight with cancer, after just one surgery, all signs of cancer were gone and Yturriaga was deemed “cancer free.”

With his physical battle behind him, Yturriaga and his team linked arms with 13 churches across the region and regained traction on the church’s financial and spiritual revitalization.

Other Iowa churches offered donations, in-kind resources, and manual labor to help the church get back on stable ground. Christian Life also received a grant from the Iowa Ministry Network to aid in the effort. Many offered donations ranging from $50 - $10,000, and others sent skilled laborers to support the church’s needs.

One member from a supporting church was a retired electrician who sacrificed his time by working for several weeks during the sweltering summer days to connect power to a sign at the church’s entrance. Another group of volunteers dug and trenched approximately 200 yards, stretching from the building to the entrance, and removed over 60 trees to give the church a new appearance.

“You know, in a time when we were asking how we would move forward, many people and congregations coming alongside to believe with us truly energized our efforts, knowing that we didn’t stand alone,” Yturriaga says.

With the financial burden easing and the much-needed updates to the church being made, there began a cultural shift in the church as well. “It infused the congregation with fresh faith to believe God for a new day in the season that we’re entering,” Yturriaga states of the collaborative efforts his congregation witnessed.

Through the revitalization, there has been a collective cry for more of God’s presence, and there are sparks of revival beginning to appear on a regular basis.

“Dozens of people are spontaneously flooding the altar during worship, and they’re getting on their knees in pursuit of the Lord,” says Yturriaga. Within the past year, the church has recorded 51 salvations, 62 water baptisms, 26 reports of physical healing, 25 baptisms in the Holy Spirit, and have added 24 new members. This increase in numbers, according to Yturriaga, is “a sovereign move of God’s Spirit.”

Despite all the obstacles they have had to face, Christian Life and its leadership have faithfully continued following the Lord’s leading and extending the love of Jesus to those in the Des Moines community.

Iowa Ministry Network Superintendent Jonathan Barthalow says, “What I have seen in Pastor Oscar is resolve in the face of adversity. No matter what the enemy throws at him, his faith endures. From a scary cancer diagnosis to financial hardship…the things meant to distract or destroy have only served to strengthen and solidify his call.”

As the church continues to experience the blessing of the Lord, it has opened its doors to a second AG church, Iglesia Avivamiento (Revival Church), and allows the congregation to meet in its building. Additionally, the church will be hosting the Midwest Latin America District men’s conference later this year.

Aside from its weekly services and community outreach events, Christian Life is also the home church for the men of SheepGate, formerly Teen Challenge of the Midlands. What ties the ministry more closely with the church is that former pastors Warren Hunsberger and his predecessor and son, Michael Hunsberger, both served as the director of SheepGate. The 15-year history with the ministry brings a unique dynamic to the church, one that is “life-giving and serves as a great reminder of God’s plan for grace and redemption,” says Yturriaga.

He states that leading the church through such a powerful revitalization would have been impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit.

“Following the leading of the Holy Spirit is essential to me as a pastor,” he states. “As I lead the church through revitalization, I’m constantly reminding myself that the Lord loves His bride far more than I ever could. The One who called me is faithful, and we just continually remind ourselves of His goodness that awaits us each step of the way.”

Elena Chernov

Elena Chernov graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois, majoring in media communication. She is passionate about writing and bringing stories to life.