Pastor Seth Channell was raised in Newburg, Alabama and educated at The University of North Alabama, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He spent the first years of pastoral ministry serving three congregations in Northwest Alabama. In 2012 he became the Senior Pastor of Grace Life Church of Ankeny. Grace Life Church of Ankeny started in 2010 with four families and today is a growing congregation of 73 members with 88 children and a number of full-time attenders. Seth resides in Ankeny, Iowa with his wife, Debbie, and their five children.

March 2025 Update

Hello,

We just returned from the True Church Conference and had a few missionaries join our church for an update during the week. It was great to fellowship with them in Muscle Shoals and then once again here in Iowa.

We have a couple of major issues we are facing and I'd like you to join me in praying for the following:

(1) Future meeting space. We have had many families respond to our request for how much money we could raise for our building, but some needed more time to think and pray about how they should contribute. We have extended our deadline until March 15th. Pray our folks will be cheerful and generous givers toward our future building. Pray that if we can't raise the money within the next 12 months, we will find another location to use as our meeting location.   

(2) Staffing needs. We need the Lord to give us direction on appointing someone within our church to oversee the administration of our youth group. Pray the Lord will give me guidance as I meet with some candidates over the next two weeks to determine the best fit.

(3) Music. We are in the process of reviewing our song selections and making a few adjustments to the style and tone of our worship service and personnel changes. Music can be a touchy issue for most, so pray we will have wisdom to lead well in these conversations and that people will joyfully support our efforts. 

(4) Steadfastness and joy. We have a ton of different projects going on right now as well as numerous pastoral needs within the body. Ask the Lord to sustain me and keep me joyful in this stressful season. Spiritual depression is always forceful when tasks seem to pileup. May the Lord give me joy in serving him. 

Thank you so much for your continued support of my family's work here in Ankeny.

In Christ,

Seth Channel