The 2026 Synod convention theme, Christ Is Risen, Indeed, is a powerful promise of hope couched in the reality that death, the devil, and sin are defeated by God’s own Son, our Savior. This reality guides our congregations forward in a sure and certain hope, which results in love of God and service to those around us.
A. Hope, to Support Immigrant, Native, Deaf, and School Ministry Our congregations continue to support many ethnic ministries. Pastors trained through the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology preach primarily in English, but they also use Swahili, Luba-kasi, French Amharic, Oromo, and Kunama. Native American ministry remains active on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations. Deaf ministry is offered through a Sioux Falls congregation, and the pastor travels to give the gifts of Christ to those in other communities. The district has 18 preschools, 5 elementary schools, and 1 high school. Sioux Falls Lutheran School is our most comprehensive school, nurturing faith in students from infants to twelfth graders in the sure and certain hope that Christ is risen, indeed!
Trusting in God’s provision, the district is placing a strong emphasis on starting micro-schools.
B. Hope, to Support Others in the Kingdom God’s people, living in resurrection hope, are generous with their gifts to further the kingdom of God. The district in convention chose three LCMS missionaries to support with Together In Mission funds. Last year, funds received were over double what was pledged! God’s people generously share His gifts and offerings to help support our seminary students and church work students at our Concordias. Out of the generosity of God’s people, grants are given to church workers to help reduce their educational debt. The district president has a modest fund for Mercy Grants. The fund is grown through a sure and certain hope that results in God’s people being very generous with what God has blessed them with. Mercy Grants are given when a worker has unexpected financial challenges. We are developing a FORO with Spain and Romania to further the resurrection hope given for all people.
C. Hope, to Be Healthier Healthy Church Workers, Healthy Church Worker Families, and Healthy Congregations is a strong emphasis in the 105 congregations of the district. It is imperative that the district work to identify obstacles that result in poor mental and physical health for church workers and congregations. That begins with district president visitation. Personal conversations with the worker and family often reveal areas where the district can provide resources for help and hope. The district’s partnership with Lutheran Family Service of Iowa has been instrumental in helping church workers, as well as congregation and community members, work through challenging issues while being grounded in our identity in Christ and His gifts to each of us. Encouraging work-life balance for all our church workers is an ongoing challenge. Church workers love to serve, sometimes to the detriment of their family and their health. The district is encouraging congregations to offer sabbatical leave more frequently to give pastors time to decompress and be refreshed in rest from their labors. Pastors are encouraged to find a father confessor, attend DOXOLOGY, and make frequent use of continuing education opportunities. Congregations are strongly encouraged to be generous with vacation time and to help pastors protect their days off. We are in the process of developing district chaplains for our pastors. Soul care for the ones who care for souls is desperately needed to keep the pastor and his family grounded in the forgiveness of sins and the encouragement of Christ is risen, indeed. The district has implemented Small Church Clarity. It is an initiative facilitated by LCEF to help small churches evaluate threats and obstacles and develop healthy Christ-centered momentum moving forward.
D. Hope, as God Continues to Lead His People President Scott Sailer chose to retire and did not let his name stand for reelection at the February 2025 District convention. The Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher was elected district president on the first ballot. Julie Pike, the district president’s administrative assistant, also chose to retire. We thank them for all the years of faithful service to our Lord and His redeemed people.
E. Hope, Despite the Challenges Christ is risen, indeed! Because of His eternal victory over every enemy we have, we continue in hope despite the challenges. Our greatest challenge is the declining population in the rural areas. Many of our congregations are the last church in town, still gathering in worship. As families in these rural areas age and move, main street businesses close, leaving the communities without any services. As our small communities get smaller, the number of vacancies and retirements stretch our already hard-working pastors even thinner. There are many challenges in the district. The challenges pale in comparison with the reality that Christ is risen, indeed! As we enter this new triennium, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). That is our eternal, unchanging hope!