CEDAR FALLS - Prairie Lakes Church is crossing into unknown territory.

Leaders aren't sure why God has led them to Waterloo's east side.

Whatever the mission, they're geared up and ready to tackle it.

Helping lead the charge is the Rev. Carl Carey, recently hired as urban ministry coordinator of the predominantly white congregation. Carey also is pastor at Grace Life Community Church, 722 S. Hackett Road, Waterloo.

"A lot of churches talk about cross-cultural ministry or urban ministry," said the Rev. John Fuller, senior pastor at Prairie Lakes. "Very few actually ever do anything. We're not going to be one of those."

Instead of simply "throwing money" at a cause, Fuller is prepared to see things through. The strategic partnership with Carey could establish a new worship venue on the east side.

Carey has been investigating what type of ministry may work in an urban setting like Waterloo. Walt Rogers, Prairie Lakes' Next Generation director, is hoping Carey can enhance a relational presence.

A few weeks ago, Carey took Fuller and Ron Phares, director of groupLIFE at Prairie Lakes, around his side of town for a firsthand look at where people live, work and shop.

"Here's a guy who's basically lived here all of his life," Fuller said of the tour. "He knows every corner, every cranny, every house. He knows who lives where, who built that house. It was fascinating."

In turn, Carey is being coached on how to apply Prairie Lakes' culture to his own Grace Life.

"They got a ministry called first impressions," Carey said. "It makes sure that you're greeting people, making people feel welcome when they come in, shake hands."

He also appreciates Prairie Lakes' small groups, where members build relationships and bridge the gap between what they're learning about God and how they're living life.

"Small group is basically where you do life together, where you learn, where you have accountability, where you have people that you can lean on when times get hard," he said. "I'm not saying that God is not using the current churches, but there is such a great need for the type of church with different (age-specific) environments in it."

Fuller has known Carey for at least three years, and the two have been nurturing partnership discussions for about a year.

"Seeing his heart and getting to know him and how he fits with our culture well at Prairie Lakes and how we resonate together as friends and brothers," Fuller said.

More than 1,500 people actively attend weekend worship services at Prairie Lakes. By 2018, the church hopes to point 10,000 people in the Cedar Valley area toward Christ.

"That can't be in one building," Fuller said.

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.