Faith Missionary Baptist Church, a beacon of hope and fellowship in Des Moines, IA, was founded in a spirit of resilience and unity by members of the former Shiloh Baptist Church. Originally located at 1213 Scott Street, Shiloh faced significant challenges in 2008 when devastating floods damaged the church, compounded by urban redevelopment near the Highway 65 connector. Despite these hardships, the congregation’s unwavering faith and commitment to our community led us to a new beginning.

In a heartfelt journey guided by prayer, the congregation came together to select a new name to symbolize their perseverance and hope. The name “Faith” was proposed by the beloved Mother Lois Hunt and embraced with unanimous approval. It was more than a name; it was a declaration of their collective spirit and future direction. On August 1, 2010, the church joyfully opened its doors at the new location at 3415 3rd Street, with Rev. Dale Terry delivering an inspiring inaugural message as the Interim Pastor.

The church thrived under Rev. Terry’s interim leadership, fostering a spiritually nourished community. After much deliberation and prayerful consideration, Rev. Terry was warmly welcomed as the permanent pastor on November 6, 2011, a testament to his profound impact and dedication.

In 2021, Pastor Terry stepped down from his role and the church embarked on a search for a new pastor to lead us into the next chapter of our journey. Joshua S. Milam, a passionate and devoted servant of God, was called to this sacred role. Pastor Milam, originally from Jackson, Mississippi, brought a rich history of ministry and community service that began at a young age. He had previously served in multiple capacities, including as Youth Minister and Chaplain at the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center, before his tenure as Senior Pastor at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Manly, Iowa.

Pastor Milam’s leadership at Faith Missionary Baptist Church commenced with his first sermon on April 3, 2022, followed by his formal installation on June 26, 2022. His vision for the church is rooted in deep spiritual growth, community outreach, and nurturing leadership within the congregation. Pastor Milam also holds significant roles at state and national levels, contributing his expertise and energy to various religious and educational organizations.

As Pastor Milam continues his theological studies, his commitment to education and leadership serves as an inspiration to all. Under his guidance, Faith Missionary Baptist Church is a vibrant community of believers, ever faithful and forward-looking, dedicated to spreading hope and nurturing the spiritual life of all who join them.

We have room for you! Are you looking for a place to grow spiritually? Will you help us as we study God’s word? We are learning to teach and preach discipleship and build ministries that meet the needs of our community. Join us during Sunday morning worship at 10:30 am or during the week. Our worship service hours, weekly ministries, bible study, and office hours are all listed at the bottom of the page.

We look forward to the opportunity to fellowship with you.

Faith Mission