WORSHIP ARTS

WORSHIP is an offering of gifts, hearts, and lives to God.

Volunteering in WORSHIP ARTS lets you use God-given talents to lead the gathered congregation in worship. Whether it's singing in a choir, operating cameras, reading scripture during worship, playing an instrument on a praise team, or ringing chimes in harmony, you are invited to help create an atmosphere where people can draw close to God.

Ankeny First is one church with two campuses, each with their own unique worship style. Worship is expressed in a traditional style Uptown and contemporary at the Christian Life Center. Use the buttons below to discover what makes worship at each location special.

Christian Life Center Opportunities

Uptown opportunities

Throughout the year, we come together for shared worship, celebrations, service opportunities, and special events. These connections remind us that while we may worship in different spaces, we are one Ankeny First family—growing in faith, serving our community, and sharing God’s love together.

Easter Cantata

Easter Cantata brings together singers of all ages each spring to prepare a special musical celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Like our Christmas Concert Choir, it's a joyful, low-commitment way to make music and connect with others during one of the most meaningful seasons of the church year.
Rehearsals: Seasonal Jose Clavell, Director

Christmas Concert

Christmas Concert Choir is a seasonal, all-ages ensemble that comes together each year to prepare our annual Christmas concert. Open to singers of every age and background, it's a short-term, low-commitment way to make music and be part of one of Ankeny First's most beloved traditions. Rehearsals: Seasonal Jose Clavell, Director

Meet our Worship Directors

Contact our worship directors for more information about joining us in worship leadership.

Amity Wagner

Director of Contemporary Worship

Amity joined the staff at Ankeny First in 2015. She is responsible for planning contemporary worship and empowering musicians and worship leaders. She has a degree in music from Wartburg College. Amity added Connection Coordinator to her title in 2025. Amity loves helping people find their place in community, providing support for small groups, and directing a ministry for women, flourish. Amity is married to Pastor John Wagner, and they have two children, Gabe and Landry.

Jose Clavell

Director of Traditional Worship

José joined the staff in the summer of 2018. Originally from Puerto Rico, José moved to the Midwest in 2013 to pursue his Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Western Illinois University (2015) and is also a graduate of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (Ponce, Puerto Rico, 2012). He brings a deep love of choral music, worship, and community-building to his work with the music ministry, and enjoys creating spaces where people of all backgrounds and skill levels can find their voice.
Beyond Ankeny First, you can find José in the local farmers' markets, where he shares his heritage through his baked goods. He also serves as Board President of the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble (DMVAE), a choral organization in Central Iowa. An avid foodie and blogger, José currently lives in Grimes.