Our Story

The Sioux Falls Area Strategy Committee determines that there will be a need for a new Lutheran congregation in Sioux Falls.

At the urging of Sioux Falls area congregations, the South Dakota Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Division for Outreach, ELCA’s Mission Investment Fund purchases 11 acres of land near 69th Street and Western Avenue for $200,000.

With the acceleration of population growth in the area, and prayer and financial support from neighboring congregations, Lutheran leaders decide to launch a new mission in 2000.

Pastor Jeff Eisele is appointed by the ELCA and called by the South Dakota Synod to serve as mission developer of the south side mission. Pastor Jeff, Katherine, Ben and Samuel Eisele move to Sioux Falls from Birchwood, Wisconsin.

The new mission is named Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church.

Pastor Eisele begins ringing doorbells on the south side of Sioux Falls to survey the community, and to invite people to consider becoming part of a new mission church.

Eighteen people participate in a six-week Bible study entitled “God’s Vision for God’s People.”

Spirit of Joy holds its first worship service in the Good Samaritan Society’s Jerstad Center, the place the congregation will call home for the next 5 years.

First charter Sunday — 65 people sign our charter.

Congregation charter opened for a third time. Began sponsoring of and partnership with C. John Hildebrand, ELCA missionary in El Salvador.

Spirit of Joy formally organizes as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 144 people having signed the charter. Congregation adopts a constitution and budget, elects lay leadership and calls Jeff Eisele to serve as pastor.

Spirit of Joy conducts “Forward in Faith, Growing to Serve” capital campaign to raise money for its first mission center. Initial pledges top $300,000 and will eventually climb to $500,000.

Spirit of Joy breaks ground for the future mission center by praying, singing, and pulling a plow together across the building site.

Spirit of Joy dedicates its mission center to the glory of God, and finds new ways in its new space to carry out its mission of inviting, growing, and serving.

Spirit of Joy sets aside land for community gardens, and begins developing land adjacent to the north side of our building for prayer and memorial gardens.

Spirit of Joy dedicates the Family Life Center.

Spirit of Joy leaders meet in retreat to discern the “five stones” God has given us for meeting the challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Leaders decide on five core values of radical hospitality, passionate worship, lifelong faith formation, extravagant generosity.

Pastor Rebecca Wold Freeman is called to serve as part time pastor of congregation connections.