A bold vision realized
More than a quarter century ago, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, existed only as an idea. Then, at the urging of Lutheran leaders who anticipated the need for a congregation in the city’s fast-growing south side, plans began for a new mission.
Knocking on doors—inviting people to the new faith community—was the Rev. Jeff Eisele, Spirit of Joy’s current lead pastor and mission developer. Sixty-five charter members responded to the call.
Today, Spirit of Joy has almost 1,000 baptized members, ministering in myriad ways, reaching out to a booming area with the Good News of Jesus. A recent building project fully affirms the bold vision of an earlier generation with a new sanctuary increasing seating by 50 percent, additional office space and an inviting gathering area.
Aided by the growth of Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s most populous city, “a healthy place to be with lots of Lutheran heritage,” explains Pastor Eisele, the congregation has experienced steady growth. The key? “It’s about relationships with people. We want to be ‘a house of prayer for all people,’” he says, using words from Isaiah 56 that guided the congregation’s capital campaign. With a nod to the future, “Spirit of Joy has always looked at expanding its building space carefully and intentionally, not only for those who are here, but those who are not here yet.
“Choosing MIF as our lender was an easy decision,” says Pastor Eisele. “MIF wants the church to succeed. Our congregation appreciates that our investments and loan with MIF support building projects throughout the church.”
Outreach and service continue as hallmarks. Well before the farm-to-table movement gained traction, the congregation set aside land for community gardens. Today, congregants use a third of the plots with the lion’s share available to all. A bustling preschool provides early childhood education, while the former worship space—repurposed as a multiuse room—extends hospitality by hosting Boy and Girl Scouts, local music groups, family gatherings, community meetings and numerous other events. Also integral to the congregation’s sense of identity is support of local feeding ministries by gathering food and delivering meals.
Perhaps less obvious is the congregation’s role in providing space for different generations to be together, learning from and ministering to each other. “We are a neighborhood church, intentional about outreach, and the church is one of the few places where multiple generations, 90-year-olds and newborns, sit side by side,” shares Pastor Eisele. “And because all people matter to God, they matter to us.”
