The SHINE Conference

Dr Hubbard has served as a missionary for the last 36 years. A key focus of his ministry has been training and discipling others in cross-cultural ministry around the world. For the last 23 years he has specifically worked with the Regional Conference of the Wesleyan Church of Iberoamerica in the training and sending of missionaries from the region to the world.

Brian and Shirlee began taking short term mission trips in 1989. Since then, they have taken many short term trips to Asia, Africa and Central America.

Chuck and Brenda have been married 50 years, have two married adult children, and two granddaughters, one who is waiting for the rest of her family in heaven. Both retired, Chuck’s last 23 years of employment was as a substance abuse counselor at Pathways Behavioral Services in Waterloo. Brenda was an RN with her last 37+ years of work at Covenant Medical Center. They have ministered at Black Hawk County Jail for nine years, and they coordinate the team of volunteers there. They also coordinate a ministry team who volunteer at Pathways Behavioral Services.

Sam and Anna’s journey took them from their missionary childhood in central Africa to becoming modern-day ambassadors of Christ in South Africa. Their love story began in a high school Geometry class in Cameroon and they tied the knot at Cedar Valley Church in 2003. Fast forward to today and two kids later, and they’ve spent the last decade cultivating various ministries along the coast of South Africa. Through innovative initiatives like job creation, skills training, and agricultural ventures, the Danforths have partnered with Cedar Valley Church for many years to spread the message of hope in Christ in KwaZulu Natal. Their kids and closest ministry partners, Elaina and Sawyer, loved growing up on an exotic fruit and macadamia nut farm in KZN.

For 50 years, Phil has served in both vocational and lay ministry. His heart for those who are under-resourced led him to lead 5x2, a ministry that provides food and clothes and the good news of Jesus in the Cedar Valley.

After spending 42 years in the automotive industry in Michigan, Mike retired and moved to Iowa and almost immediately began volunteering at Alternatives Pregnancy Center. In 2022, he joined the staff as Practical Fatherhood Coordinator where he finds great joy in serving young men through parenting classes and sharing the gospel. Mike and his wife Jeannie enjoy camping, their grandchildren, and fishing when they can get away.

Glen is the Executive Director of Love in the name of Christ. He is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and a former teacher at East High School. Prior to joining Love INC, Glen worked in his wife's law firm providing sliding fee legal services for middle- to lower-income working Iowans. Glen and Michelle have a blended family of seven with three adult children and two teenagers.

Lucy serves at Cedar Valley Church as the Discipleship Pastor. She also serves on the board of Love INC where she helps with fundraising and their Begin Now ministries. Lucy has served in the local church for over 10 years and finds joy in providing opportunities for people to grow in their faith. Lucy and her husband Kyle enjoy the outdoors, riding motorcycles, and ice cream nights with their 2-year-old daughter, Paisley.

Dave and Cindy Lux served as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Cameroon, Africa from 1989 to 2016. With God's help, they and their Wycliffe and Cameroonian co-workers reduced the previously unwritten Nooni language to written form, established the alphabet, helped produce literacy materials in the language, translated the New Testament into Nooni, and produced the JESUS Film in the language. Midway through that process, they and a team of another thirty five workers, undertook the same work in the six neighboring languages, which also had never been reduced to written form and had no portion of God's Word. Those six New Testaments are currently being printed and are scheduled to be dedicated in 2024.

As president of Heart Surrender Prison Ministry, Roger has been writing Cedar Valley Church’s Voice of Freedom newsletter (sent out to about 1,000 inmates and former inmates each month) since 2003. He visits Iowa State Prisons and conducts monthly services at Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility with around 60 men coming. Having been in prison himself, Roger is passionate about helping others “finish well” and walk in freedom.

Linda has been active in lay ministry since God saved her in 1969. She currently serves in 5x2 Ministry at Cedar Valley Church, providing food and clothing to under-resourced people in the Cedar Valley. Linda’s positive “can-do” attitude is contagious.