Missio Church acquires Mount Ayr meeting space

First service at new location set for May 4

Missio Church has secured a permanent meeting location in Mount Ayr after prayerfully planting the church over three years ago. On Sunday May 4, the congregation will hold their first church service at 10 a.m. in their new location at 1111 E. South Street in Mount Ayr. Everyone is invited for fresh baked goods, coffee and other refreshments between 9-10 a.m., worship service at 10 a.m., and fellowship after service.

Founded on January 9, 2022 in Mount Ayr, Missio Church began with a core group of 25-30 believers who sought to live their lives on mission and equip people for everyday life as a reflection of Christ.
Missio Church is led by Co-pastors/Elders Jim Murphy and Darin Dolecheck, who have guided the congregation through its early years of growth and transition.

As a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the church embraces, disciples and equips people to make the gospel known across the communities they live in, their region, nation and around the world.

“Whatever God is going to do, he is going to do through all of Christ’s people,” says Pastor Murphy, “and whatever he’s going to do through Christ’s people, he’s going to do through leaders who empower those people as their first priority.”

The name Missio comes from the Latin phrase “Missio Dei,” which roughly translates to “Mission of God” or “Sending of God.”
The church’s mission, emphasized every week, is to “Glorify God by equipping all of Christ’s people to worship Him with all of their lives and to give every man, woman, and child, repeated opportunities to hear and respond to the gospel.”

Missio church initially held services in the Ringgold Outdoor Alliance building. The congregation later relocated to the Ringgold County Courthouse where additional meeting space was available for children’s ministry, and services were held in the assembly room. In late 2023, the growing number of attendees necessitated another move to the American Legion building, where services have been held to date. American Legion Post 172 in Mount Ayr has graciously allowed Missio Church to rent the legion building for Sunday services over the past two years.

Additionally, the congregation is active throughout the week, meeting in small groups at members homes to help youth, teens and adults grow in their understanding of the Bible.

The church’s new home, located on the south side of Highway 2 in Mount Ayr, was purchased from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Creston.

“We look at this building not as a destination, but as a launching pad,” says Pastor Murphy.

The church building was initially dedicated on September 1, 1974 by the First Lutheran Church. The Lutheran congregation met at this location until May of 2013 when the Mount Ayr church became part of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran of Creston.
Pastor John Rutz, who has served Trinity since September of 2016, led the final service in Mount Ayr on Sunday, December 29, 2024 as the congregation voted to close the Mount Ayr branch.

In announcing the closure, Pastor Rutz stated: “We give praise and thanks to our God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the ministry here in Mount Ayr and the surrounding community that has fed so many here over the years and the seeds of faith planted that will continue to produce a harvest not only in Mount Ayr, but in the many other places as well.”

Pastor Rutz continues to serve Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church from their primary location in Creston.
Both church congregations recognize that everything has a life cycle.

“As we think about stepping into this building, we don’t rejoice when a gospel centered congregation closes,” states Pastor Murphy. “We almost look at this as more of a passing of a baton.”

To contact or learn more about Missio Church, including its mission, beliefs, and a full list of services and events, visit www.missiochurchmtayr.org.