Janelle Darst

Janelle Darst

Director of Children's Ministries

About Janelle

I grew up in Clarksville, Iowa. My parents are third generation farmers and my dad has never moved off the Century Farm! I graduated from UNI with a degree in Communications in 1998 and received my Master’s from UNI in 2014. I worked for 14 years at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center from when it opened in 2000. Since 2014 I’ve been the Director of Communications & Community Relations for the Cedar Falls Community School District! I truly love telling all the great stories of our amazing Cedar Falls students!

Fun Facts About Janelle

How long have you served CHCPC? I started in 2011 (I think) by overseeing the nursery and have been Director of Children’s Ministries since 2015.

Tell us about your family: My husband, Randy, works for CHCPC as well. Our son, Mitchell is a junior at CFHS and participates in track and football. Mitchell is also an elder this year. Marie, our daughter, is a freshman, and participates in cross country, track and dance. She also helps in the nursery at church. CHCPC is literally family for us.

Who are people that inspire you? My family and friends. They are all people I look up to in different ways.

What is one thing that most people don’t know about you? I was my county’s pork queen and was a finalist for the Iowa Pork Queen.

Do you have any weird quirks? I LOVE an empty kitchen counter. It can drive me crazy when it becomes the dumping ground for everything and everyone in our home. I heard the phrase once ‘an empty counter is a happy counter’. 

What is your least favorite thing to do? Emptying the dishwasher.

Hidden Talent? Not sure it’s hidden, but I LOVE putting together parties and buying gifts.

What makes you laugh? A lot of things make me laugh – Randy, my kids, my nephew who is three, TV, movies, etc. Laughing is one of my favorite things. I’ve been known to laugh very loud sometimes.

What is your biggest fear? I’m not a very big fan of heights. 

​Favorite Music, Movies or TV Shows: Brandi Carlile, Comedies, Modern Family 

Favorite Sports Team(s): CF Tigers and UNI Panthers

Favorite Books: I feel like I have to say the Bible here. 😉 I really enjoy reading, my latest favorite was The Midnight Library. I also like biographies.

Favorite Season: Hard to pick, I love all the seasons and especially love living in Iowa where we experience them all.