"PEOPLE FIRST"
Dear partners in God’s great family,
The 2006 ministry year was pivotal for us. Quietly, yet profoundly-- and together-- we turned an important corner, a turn I’m confident God was waiting for us to make. It was the year we became more in tune with the heart of God for the community in which He has planted us.
We prayerfully came to the conviction that God’s intention was that we not journey alone to our new ministry home. If we did not intentionally bring our community with us, we were not to go. He told us we were to move in an inviting way. We were to move in an inclusive way. The word the Lord gave us was “missional.”
People First is not just some catchy phrase to briefly tug at the heart. It speaks of a philosophy of ministry that must guide and empower our living together as God’s family. It is a philosophy at the heart of our Stage One first-steps to the Carver Road campus.
The need of the stewardship challenge of People First is bold, some $3+ million. Such a sacrificial effort on our part will be an expression of love to Ames, Gilbert, and Story County. We want to say to our neighbors, co-workers, friends and to their children, “Let’s get to know each other. Let’s do life together. Let’s build a community.”
Many in our First Free family have attended one of our Information Meetings to receive information about participating in People First. Please know that your participation in an Information Meeting is very important.
Our Sunday morning emphasis has been to build a "People First" response from our congregation. You'll hear more about "People First" as we move toward the future God has for us. 
Begin praying now that our First Free family would be open to all that God may do in and through us during the "People First" challenge.
God has been gracious to speak to us. Let’s lean forward together into His heart for this community. Thanks…
David Staff
Lead Pastor