How a Small Iowa Church Changed an Entire Community
Can a small-town church really transform an entire community? 🌱 In this inspiring episode of Partners in Ministry, host Dan Smith sits down with Pastor Matt Smith of Middle River Friends Church in Carlisle, Iowa.
Pastor Matt shares how a Quaker congregation surrounded by rolling cornfields became a thriving hub of ministry—launching a youth program, starting a food pantry during COVID that now serves hundreds, and building partnerships that extend far beyond their walls.
Discover how their mission of loving like Jesus and serving all people has led to real-life impact, from youth leadership development to providing food, job training, and future plans for counseling services.
Whether you’re a pastor, nonprofit leader, or simply passionate about faith in action, this story will encourage you to dream bigger about what God can do through ordinary people and small beginnings.
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories of churches and nonprofits making a difference!
Recorded on Tuesday, November 20, 2025. Originally Broadcast on Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Middle River Friends Church
— Learn More at: https://middleriverfriends.org
— Contact Pastor Matt:
— — By Email: pastormatt@middleriverfriends.org
— — By Phone: (515) 989-3319
— Social Media, Church:
— — Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleRiverFriendsChurch
— — Facebook, Food Pantry: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=friends%20pantry
— Social Media, Pastor Matt:
— — Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linktomatt/
— — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-smith-510845112
— — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linktomatt1/
— — X (Twitter): https://x.com/beth_matthew
— Donate through JWQF: https://Bit.ly/JWQF_MRFCDonation
The Quakerdale Foundation:
— Learn More at: https://QuakerdaleFoundation.org
— Invest in Our Mission: https://QuakerdaleFoundation.org/Donate/
— Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/JWQF_Subscribe
— Send an Email: DSmith@Quakerdale-Foundation.org
— Connect by Phone: (641) 497-5294 x502
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/JWQF_SpotifyPodcast
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#jwqfpartnersinministry
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