The wide-open spaces,
its rural communities, and the culture of the Midwest bring
people from all over the world to settle within South Dakota
and worship among the 70 churches with 8,506 members in the
Presbytery of South Dakota.
Nearly twenty years ago, a Korean Baptist fellowship began
meeting in Sioux Falls. The group became affiliated with Presbyterians
about seven years ago. Since then, they have met at both the
Westminster and First Presbyterian churches in Sioux Falls.
In addition to searching for the perfect church home, the group
struggled to maintain its membership. At one time, there were
70 members, but over the years the congregation shrunk to 10–12.
Even through the movement of worship places and changes in leadership,
this small Korean community maintained a Korean language service,
along with Bible study, shared group ministry, Sunday school
and home visitation of those from Korea, Vietnam, and Laos.
The presbytery fully embraced the importance of this worship
and its mission to the Southeast Asian population in eastern
South Dakota. In 2005, a Korean Commission was formed and the
Korean Presbyterian Fellowship was incorporated as a subsidiary
of the presbytery.
In December 2006, the Korean Presbyterian Fellowship, with
assistance from the presbytery’s Korean Commission and
a loan from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, purchased a house
in Sioux Falls that provides both a place of worship and a home
for the fellowship’s Korean pastor.
The Korean Presbyterian Fellowship currently has 19 active
members, 52 affiliates, and 15 children. Worshipers throughout
the region come to services each Sunday. Foreign exchange students
in the area make the Korean Presbyterian Fellowship their church
family. The pastor also travels to other South Dakota communities
to lead worship.
Through the continued efforts and the deep commitment of a
small number of Korean worshipers and other members of the Presbytery
of South Dakota, the Korean Presbyterian Fellowship continues
to grow, develop, and serve. The entire Presbytery of South
Dakota prayerfully supports this ministry. |
