Our History
Candeo (Latin) - meaning to grow or shine in brilliance.
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.”
the start of it all
In the spring of 2013, five families were sent from Cornerstone Church of Ames to plant a church in the Cedar Valley. Our intention from the beginning was to be a multigenerational church with a focus on the next generation, particularly college students. In September 2013 we held our first services and immediately began to experience the Lord’s blessings as students and community members alike surrendered their lives to Jesus. Within nine months, God provided us with a strong elder team and by the next fall, God had secured for us a permanent space in which we could gather weekly.
the journey
Over the past six years God has continued to grow Candeo and The Salt Company (our college ministry) both in numbers and depth. We have seen hundreds baptized and many more find Christ-centered community. We have thriving ministries for people of every life stage and we delight in watching people not only find new life in Christ but grow in greater likeness to Christ. In 2017, God provided again by leading us to a new church home to help meet the needs of our growing church family. As we reflect on our journey to this point we stand in awe of all that God has done.
our vision
We believe we are a "sent" people. Jesus said, "As the Father sent me, so I also send you." Our desire is to be a church family who intentionally takes the message of Jesus everywhere we go - to our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and for some, beyond. This mission drives us to continue to plant churches both nationally and internationally. To date, we have people working to establish new gospel movements in SE Asia, Columbia, MO, Gainesville, FL and Cincinnati, OH. Additionally, in partnership with the Salt Network, we have helped establish new churches in over a dozen college cities with more to come. We are leaning forward with hearts full of faith and courage, believing God that we’ve just seen the beginning of what He desires to do through us!