CHURCH STAFF
Our staff is here to serve, equip, and help you grow in your faith. Meet the team who leads Prairie Creek with humility and joy.
Ben Wedeking
Senior Pastor
Pastor Ben has served as our pastor since 2015. He loves preaching, teaching, and seeing people come alive through the power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Ben and his wife, Julie, have been married since 2004 and have two children, Elle and Isaac. He earned his B.A. in Christian Education from Wheaton Bible College in 1998 and his M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2011. Ben is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church.
In his free time, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, vacations and new adventures, exercising, going to the movies, and connecting with people over coffee. He also enjoys international travel and has had the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures—including fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting Israel.
Josh Dahm
Director of Worship Arts & Discipleship
Josh has served as Prairie Creek’s Director of Worship Arts since 2010 and added the role of Director of Discipleship in 2018. He felt called to ministry while studying at Asbury University, where he earned his B.A. in Music (2003), and later completed his Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary. Josh moved to Iowa to help cultivate worship at Prairie Creek and stepped into discipleship leadership because he believes a church that grows deeply is a church that worships freely.
While in Kentucky, Josh performed, arranged, and recorded music with the band Too Many Drummers. He continues to write and arrange music today for our worship experience.
Josh has been married to his wife, Rachel, for 15 years, and they have three daughters: Evelyn, Amelia, and Clementine. Outside of ministry, he enjoys time with his family, playing piano and classical guitar, and dreaming of the day they can ski regularly together.
Phil Bargfrede
Prairie Creek Kids Director
Phil returns to Prairie Creek as our Director of Children’s Ministry after previously serving from 2009–2019. He brings 13 years of ministry experience with children and youth, including serving as Program Coordinator at Lake Okoboji UMC Camp and Retreat Center.
Phil leads kids through an engaging, interactive approach to Scripture that brings Bible stories to life and supports different learning styles. Prairie Creek Kids follows a simple weekly rhythm called GPS: Grow, Play, and Study. It’s designed to help kids learn the gospel, build friendships, and grow in faith in ways that stick.
One of his core values is helping kids build a strong foundation rooted in Jesus Christ and biblical teaching that will guide them throughout their lives.
In his free time, Phil enjoys hiking, photography, jet skiing, and golfing, but his favorite adventures are the ones he shares with his son, Caleb.
Nicole Keuper
Student Ministry Director
Nicole and her husband, Nate, have been part of Prairie Creek since 2010, when Nicole joined staff as our full-time Youth Director. She began college pursuing nursing, but sensed a call to ministry and changed course after a Christianity class. Nicole earned a degree in Ministry with a minor in Psychology from Viterbo University and later completed a Master’s of Religion in Biblical Studies from Liberty University.
After their second child was born in 2015, Nicole stepped into a season of full-time motherhood. She and Nate now have three children—Selah, Joshua, and Micah—and they homeschool their family. Nicole serves on the Board of Directors for their homeschool co-op, Raising Arrows, and teaches high school religion courses.
Nicole returned to youth ministry as a volunteer in 2021 and now serves as Co-Director of Student Ministries at Prairie Creek. She is passionate about helping students know their worth and value in Jesus and grow in a thriving relationship with Him.
Wes Schlenker
Student Ministry Director
Wes became Co-Director of Student Ministries at Prairie Creek in June 2023. He has a passion for teaching and training students to become disciples and discover God’s purpose for their lives. Wes has served in ministry for 17 years, including mission work in 13 countries, mentoring at-risk youth, serving as Interim Youth Pastor at his home church, and supporting youth ministry as an Associate Youth Pastor while in Bible college. He also led a home Bible study for five years at his previous church.
Wes graduated from Eugene Bible College in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies. A third-generation graduate of Dallas Center-Grimes High School, he cares deeply about reaching and serving our local community.
Wes and his wife, Rebekah, met at Eugene Bible College and have been married since 2004. They have a teenage daughter, Hannah. In his free time, Wes enjoys movies at home with his family, sushi dates with Rebekah, and being outdoors—gardening, hunting, trapping, and target shooting.
Becky Duckett
Business Manager
Becky and her husband, Dana, joined Prairie Creek in 1995. Over the years, Becky has volunteered in many areas of the church—Trustees, Finance, SPRC, Leadership, and even as the VBS “lunch lady.” She has experienced both the growing pains and the beauty of a church being shaped by the Holy Spirit, and she brings a steady compassion for people and a deep desire to reflect Jesus’ heart in every part of church life—both in the building and in the relationships within it.
Becky graduated from Simpson College with a business degree and worked at Principal Financial for more than 36 years. Now in retirement, she serves as Prairie Creek’s Business Manager, caring for our facility and supporting the people who serve and gather here.
Becky and Dana’s children grew up at Prairie Creek, and now they have the joy of watching their granddaughters grow up here, too. At any given time, you might see Branzley, Emmy, Kimber, Opal, and Willow in the hallways.
Christy Schneckloth
Office Coordinator
Christy serves Prairie Creek by leading communications and marketing, helping our church share the hope of Jesus with clarity, consistency, and warmth. She loves bringing strategy and storytelling together so people can easily understand who we are, what we believe, and how to take their next step of faith.
Christy has spent her career in marketing and communications leadership, including a decade at Snyder & Associates, where she led the development of hundreds of client stories and supported digital strategy, web content, and growth initiatives. She also consults with local, family-owned businesses and nonprofits, helping strengthen brand, messaging, and community engagement.
Christy and her husband, Clay, have two kids, Cecelia (Cece) and Royce. In her free time, she enjoys art and design projects, gardening, music, travel, and cheering on her kids.