March 19, 2024

Stout leaving Community Heights Alliance Church

After 10 years in Newton, Cory Stout, senior pastor at Community Heights Alliance Church is moving on. Stout is taking a similar position at Lee’s Summit Community Church in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

“In the role of being a pastor, I just sensed that God, through a number of scenarios, was speaking to us, and it was time to go, even though it was a very hard decision,” Stout said.

Stout and his family, wife Amy and children Drew, Alexis and Allie came to Newton following eight years in St. Croix Falls, Wis. where he served as a youth pastor. During his time at CHAC, Stout saw the church grow and change in more ways that one.

“From the corporate level, being a part of Community Heights to see the fruition of phase one being paid for and phase two being built and paid for,” Stout said. “The heart beat behind that is even more important — the people. It was creating a space which would be conducive to seeing people’s lives being changed.”

“It wasn’t about having a big building, it was about saying we want to be an active, vital part of this community to impact the community and the people of the community with the message of Jesus. We tried to create a space that would be able to do that.”

In the new space, Stout helped build a growing kids and youth ministry. He also helped touch the lives of those who may not have been active in any church before hearing about CHAC.

“There are numbers of families in our church today that even 10 years ago weren’t a part of any church, weren’t connected in a relationship with God,” Stout said. “Through the people of the church they came to encounter a relationship with God and have had their lives changed, marriages stabilized, whole families have made decision to begin relationships with Jesus. That has been the most rewarding.”

The decision to leave Newton was not a easy one for Stout and his family. The church community along with the community of Newton have become home since moving here a decade ago.

“It was a super hard decision in regard to leaving. We love it here, we love the people, the community,” Stout said. “Our kids have grown up here. They were 4, 6 and 8 when we came and now they are 14, 16 and 18, and it is home. They have been a part of the schools, YMCA, Newton athletics and overall we have had a great experience with Newton and Community Heights Alliance Church.”

Although it was a difficult decision for the Stouts, it was one they made together. For the past couple of months, the family has been praying on the decision together, asking God if it is the right move for them right now.

“We invited our kids into the process and we have been praying together and asking God to speak to us and He has, so that has been good,” Stout said.

The Stouts will miss their church community, along with the community of Newton but are excited for their next move forward.

“We’re excited to go through a journey with our children so that we together can come to see God being faithful to us as a family, even in the midst of saying to yes to something that is difficult,” Stout said.

Stout’s last Sunday at CHAC is July 17.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or
jpierson@newtondailynews.com