Robert Smith

Robert is the Senior Pastor at Grandview Park Baptist Church. Robert was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He confessed faith in Jesus Christ when he was a young boy. His fledging faith was nurtured through the ministry of a local church and a Christian day school. Upon graduation from a university, he returned to the Detroit area to pursue and receive a seminary degree.

After having served three churches in Michigan, he and his wife, Ronette, along with their two children, Lauren and Colin, moved to Des Moines in August, 1999. Robert and Ronette have enjoyed twenty-six years of marriage and are making the best of their pre-empty-nest years as both of their children are away at college.

Robert is primarily responsible for the ministry of the preaching of the Word and prayer for our church. He also oversees the nurture and care for the spiritual welfare of our members, and exercises a general oversight of the total ministries of the Church.

Robert believes that “God is not a God of minimums.” He asks with the Apostle Paul, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Dan Wahlstrom

Dan is the Church Administrator at Grandview Park Baptist Church. He is responsible for adminstrative oversight of facility, finances, personnel benefits, insurance and legal issues, and human resources.

Dan was born and raised in the Kansas City area and was saved at the age of six. He met his future wife, Beth, in high school; they later attended Bible college together. They have three children: Eric, a CPA in Des Moines who is married to Courtney; Erin, an elementary teacher here at Grandview Park Baptist School; and Jon, who is attending Cedarville University.

Dan has attended Grandview Park since 1972 and joined the staff in 1988. Before coming to Grandview Park, he worked for a national transportation systems company.

Dan is grateful for the promise found in Romans 8:38-39: " For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Danny Capon

Danny is the Assistant Pastor at Grandview Park Baptist Church.  He was born just north of Seattle, Washington but has spent most of his life in Iowa.  He grew up as a pastor's kid.  From his early years, his family and home life were positively Christian.  As a child, he placed his faith in Christ and His work on the cross for salvation.  Within the context of the local church, he grew in his faith and he understood ministry as a way of life. 

While at Bible college, God granted Danny an undeniable burden and desire for full-time vocational gospel ministry.  He saw God leading primarily toward pastoral ministry so he completed his bachelor's degree in pastoral studies and went on to receive a seminary degree.

Shortly after getting married, he and his wife, Brenna, began attending Grandview Park Baptist Church.  Danny and Brenna, along with their two daughters, Evie and Lily, have enjoyed being a part of the life and ministry of Grandview for as long as they’ve been married.

Danny is responsible to assist the Senior Pastor, with primary oversight of the ministries to children, students, and college/career single adults.

Danny desires, like the Apostle Paul, for Christ to be preeminent in everything.  And, as such, he endeavors to proclaim Christ, so that he may "present everyone mature in Christ."  He finds strength in what Paul says next: "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."  (Colossians 1:28-29)