Essential Church
LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 2026
Essential Church
LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 2026
First Sunday Service
Welcome To
Essential Church is a Spirit-filled, life-giving church launching in the Des Moines Metro. Our vision is simple, to see it - Here as it is in Heaven. Led by Pastors Zach and Ashley Morris, Essential Church exists to build a community marked by authentic Bible preaching, passionate worship, and a family atmosphere where everyone belongs. We believe Jesus changes everything, one story, one family, and one neighborhood at a time.
Essential Church
Our Vision
Our vision is to bring the culture of God’s Kingdom to earth—making Here look like Heaven. In our homes, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and city, we carry His presence and reflect His Kingdom.
HERE AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
Our Mission
Leading People to ENCOUNTER God, ESTABLISH Identity, EXPERIENCE Community, EMPOWER Purpose, and EXPAND God’s Kingdom
Zach & Ashley Morris
We’re Zach and Ashley Morris—husband and wife for nearly a decade, parents to three incredible kids (Nash, Cohen, and Vivienne), and passionate followers of Jesus. Long before we ever dreamed of planting a church together, God was writing our story in ways we couldn’t see yet.
Everything changed for both of us as teenagers. At 17 and 18 years old, we each had a life-altering encounter with God at church camp. It was there that we sensed His unmistakable call to ministry. Those early encounters marked us, shaped us, and planted a deep conviction in our hearts: one day, we would help build a church where people could meet Jesus the way we did—personally, powerfully, and unmistakably.
For the past 10 years, we’ve served in full-time ministry, preaching and teaching about Jesus. We’ve watched God transform lives through relationships, discipleship, and Spirit-filled, Bible-anchored teaching. We’ve sat across tables, prayed through tears, celebrated victories, and walked with people through the highs and lows of life. And somewhere in the middle of all those moments, the dream God placed in our hearts began to take shape.
Through every season, our love for God, our love for each other, and our love for people has only grown stronger. Ministry for us has never been about building something impressive—it has always been about building people. We believe deeply in the power of genuine connection, authentic community, and creating an environment where every person is seen, known, and welcomed like family.
Today, as we step into this new chapter, we do so with full hearts and open hands. We aren’t just planting a church—we’re building a home. A place where you can encounter God, discover who you were created to be, find real community, and walk into your God-given purpose.
We’re grateful for every step that’s led us here… and we believe with all our hearts that this is only the beginning.
Welcome to the journey. We’re honored to walk it with you.
ZACH
ASHLEY
We’d love to grab coffee with you - hear your story and give you the chance to learn more about us and the vision of Essential Church!
Our Values

