I have attended this church for 8 yrs. Here is my opinion: Good points: They are not liberal. They believe in practicing and preaching the true Gospel. They are mostly honest. They discourage sins like adultery, porn and take it as a serious matter. They are bold enough to confess their sins to each other - even serious ones and seek help through mentoring and prayers. They are bold enough to openly talk about the sins of their family members and seek help. They discourage dating and sex before marriage. Bad points: They give too much importance to non-biblical stuff and most of the time focus on Christ is lost. The church is almost a cult, if you don't go along with their beliefs (most of them non-biblical and their own teachings based on the local culture and upbringing) then you will be left out. All pastors are do a bad job of pastoring. Some of them get good compensation which they don't deserve at all - they actually don't do any work in the Church. They are rarely available. They say they want to be available primarily as good husbands and fathers at home and stay at home most of the time. They are really not there as shepherds. Their sermons are really boring. You will find it hard not to sleep during the sermon. Pastors are not qualified (in terms of education or otherwise) to be pastors. They think the only qualification to be a pastor is that the guy shouldn't commit adultery and not look at porno - which is good. But I found lots of other bad qualities (like bigotry, greed, selfishness, arrogance, pride and stupidity) in abundance. They believe and practice some type of Iowan country brute culture - anything different even if it is better will be suppressed. I have seen some pastors and their families much more greedy and selfish than the common lay people in this Church. They preach about not being materialistic, greedy and coveting during life groups. But the leaders do all that and more. They some how feel they are beyond what they preach. The church is mostly student (iowa state university) oriented. Others don't mean anything to them. Mostly racists, idiots and intolerant people tend to flock to this church. The leadership seems to encourage this. When they collect funds for some church project, they will invite you and show you lots of great food but they don't want you to eat because they need to show the same food for the next group that they are ready to fleece. They have donuts on the table after church, but they dont want you to eat it, because the donuts are really for show. They will tolerate you if you eat when you are a guest. If you are not and If you eat them then some church leader will look at you like he is so rich and you are some poor, starving, penniless waif. Recommendation: There are a lot better churches in Ames. Don't waste your time and money in stonebrook. I have seen many good people get stuck in this place. It is really not a church. It is mostly a cult where like minded people support each other with Gospel in the background. But the focus may not be on Christ which is the only thing that matters. read more

I walked in the door of Stonebrook 2 days after moving in for my first year at ISU, August 2008. I was immediately welcomed by one of the members who proceeded to both get to know me and introduce me to several other members, then invite me over to his house for lunch. Since then, these people have become a second family, many of whom have invested in me and helped me grow in my relationship with Christ, even beyond the Sunday morning service. This is huge for a young single college student. From the Sunday teaching to the Rock student small groups, the community has played a large role in my desire to better know my Creator and give thanks for Christ's sacrifice for me. Through the Word, evangelism training and our missions endeavors (daily, local and international trips), leaders have given me opportunities to try things, lead others and see how God can use me, weak as I am, to influence others to experience His love! This has been both rewarding and painful/humbling- but so good for my faith. Granted, the pastors and members do not always emulate Christ, but we are under the care of the Good Shepherd, whose rod and staff comforts us. We love His Word and the joy that comes when we follow Him. Come and check it out, then invest your gifts and abilities towards His kingdom with us! read more

I first attended Stonebrook as a freshman at ISU. I felt welcomed immediately. I still attend every week 15 years later and bring my children. It is a great church, though those attending (including the pastors) will be the first to admit they are imperfect people-which I appreciate. The teachings are Bible focused and the pastors are genuine about their lives. The Sunday School program works to teach children to focus on the Gospel and what Jesus did, not on being good but legalistic kids, and I really like that. The church offers a variety of small groups which help people get to know others better on a more personal level and I have personally been helped with meals after having babies and moving help. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a church that is serious about living out their faith in their weekly lives. read more