“What we didn’t expect was how quickly this community would make us feel like we belonged here and that we had something to give.”
Hi, my name is Simon Campbell, and this is why I Live the Valley.
My family moved to the Cedar Valley in 2022. My wife and I, along with our two young daughters, were stepping into a new season, drawn here by two things: an opportunity to serve at Prairie Lakes Church and a desire to live closer to family. We have siblings who had already landed in the area, and we wanted our girls to grow up enjoying their cousins, aunts, and uncles as a part of everyday life.
We moved here to be closer to family. What we didn’t expect was how quickly this community would make us feel like we belonged here and that we had something to give.
The Cedar Valley is the kind of place that invites you into the story right away. It draws you in and gives you a sense of ownership and impact early. We weren’t treated like outsiders trying to find our place. Any way we looked to get involved through church, school organizations, community events, or local initiatives – our contribution was welcomed. There’s something powerful about living in a place where your presence matters right away.
I love that I get to work for a church that carries that same spirit.
Prairie Lakes Church exists to be a “no matter” church: no matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you – God loves you, and you can look for him at Prairie Lakes. And that’s not just something we say, it’s something we live by. You can feel that the moment you walk through the doors. As a multi-site church of seven campuses, we’re committed not only to serving this region but to covering the state with churches, creating communities where people can look for God no matter what.
It’s not lost on me that the heartbeat behind that mission feels very Cedar Valley. Outward-facing. Community-minded. Willing to invest beyond itself.
Outside of work, we’ve fallen in love with the everyday rhythms of life here. We live near the downtown district in Cedar Falls, and on summer evenings, we often just step outside and go wherever the live music takes us. It feels like there’s always something happening: festivals, markets, concerts – tons of great reasons to get out and try something new. The downtown districts in both Cedar Falls and Waterloo create spaces where people actually linger. You’re increasingly greeted by familiar faces, invited into conversations, and you really start to feel known.
We love being outdoors, too. Having a state park woven right into the midst of our community makes it feel like you’re only ever a few steps away from nature at any time. We’ve loved exploring the extensive trail systems from behind strollers, then scooters, and now family bike rides. I even commute to work by bike in the warmer months. We fish the local waters, rotate playing at all the parks, and take full advantage of the green spaces that make this area feel both connected and wide open at the same time.
One of the unexpected joys for me has been doing some content creation work to support Live the Valley. There’s something special about capturing the heart of a community while you’re still learning to become part of it yourself. Through the lens, I’ve seen firsthand the culture and commitment to community that define this place.
We came here for family and an opportunity, but we’ve thrived because this place invites you to belong, to contribute, and to build something meaningful. Our experience has cultivated a quiet sense of pride that makes us eager to answer the question, “Where are you guys living now?”
The Cedar Valley isn’t just where we moved.
It’s where we’re planting roots.
And that’s why I Live the Valley.