Project Overview:
This will be a discipleship mission among the Dakotah Sioux - very relational - a good choice for experienced missionaries who will work to build relationships. If you like a challenge and you're ready for the next level in ministry, if you know how to meet people and make conversation, this could be a great discipleship training opportunity.

We are blessed to have outstanding ministry partners who appreciate the need for the kind of life-sharing discipleship you will bring. They will give you a lot of very solid orientation and direction.

Pastor Larry and Darla Thiele, Dakotah who grew up on the Spirit Lake rez, lead the Body of Christ at Dakotah Oyate Lutheran Mission. Their Native congregation openly loves the Lord and shares that love with one another and with the Tokio community surrounding the church. Dakotah Oyate, which means Dakotah Family, truly lives out their faith on a rez where much darkness remains. The bright light of their fellowship blesses all who draw near.

Paul and Sarah Young of Dakota Baptist in Fort Totten head another congregation known for their love and welcome to any who would join them in worshiping Jesus. Paul accepted the position as shepherd of this congregation three years ago. But he was no stranger, having served the past 10 years during missions and personal visits. He and Sarah had their first baby this year, adding one more to a growing congregation. The people of Dakota Baptist desire to make lives better through sharing Jesus’ love.

It is an enormous privilege to work closely with the pastors and members of these two churches, so full of the joy of their salvation, so strong in their faith, so full of life experience and wisdom. We have much to learn from them. But even Jesus’ people hurt sometimes or struggle with temptation. Our teams can offer encouragement and support to those whose families have suffered recent deaths. We can share in the pain of those whose children who have been making terrible choices, or who themselves have suffered setbacks to addictions. Your team can then bring life-changing training and experience to people with the same problems back home.

Ministry Description:
You will initially meet people at a kick-off event like a teen feed (hotdogs and burgers) with our partner churches. Neighborhood outreaches and prayer walks will bring you into contact with others who do not yet know the Lord. Expect a healthy mixture of evangelism and discipleship, but getting to know locals is a critical first step to sharing your life and your faith.

Your team will work mostly with teen believers, doing fun activities planned to help you build real, significant relationships. You might go swimming, play putt-putt, bowl, or just spend time talking. The team always learns a lot from the locals. In turn, the team gives a ton of encouragement and a better understanding of what the Father asks of us and how we can live that out.

Meeting non-believers may lead to the same kind of activities. Evangelism is also about time spent with a person. If you have the privilege of leading a new friend to the Lord, you will also have the responsibility of starting on the long road of discipleship.