Ministry Partners
Charis Ministry Partners is the collaboration of 13 Sioux Falls area Lutheran (ELCA) congregations to help address basic needs in our community since early 2009. Spirit of Joy has a Board Representative, serves Food to You and Necessities Neighbors twice each year, and collects a monthly food item for Food to You.
Church on the Street’s mission to take the gifts of the Church out to the people who, for whatever reason, can not come inside. Spirit of Joy serves as the lead in candy packing (a tool for evangelism for Church on the Street), collects quarters for Laundry with Love during Lent (which we serve twice each year), and is a host ministry for Arts in the Park, Health and Healing, and regular worship with Church on the Street.
Feeding South Dakota is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, with a mission to end hunger in South Dakota. Through our programs and agency partners we are providing food in all 66 counties of our state and fighting hunger in rural communities, metro areas and Native American Reservations. Spirit of Joy has experienced a committed, long-term partnership.
Spirit of Joy serves alongside Asbury United Methodist as the Parent Teacher Organization for Horace Mann Elementary School. We collect school supplies, provide for the ‘prize closet’, give faculty and staff Christmas and year-end gifts, and help fund an annual play event for students.
Spirit of Joy provides opportunities for all ages to attend a variety of camps each year.
Lutherans Outdoors camps inspire wonder in thousands of campers each year. Hiking in the hills at Outlaw Ranch, riding a horse on the prairie at Klein Ranch, and gathering at the water at NeSoDak provides opportunity to explore God’s creation.
Shetek Lutheran Ministries is a year-round camp on Keeley Island on Lake Shetek. They offer safe, fund, faith-forming summer camps for children and youth, relaxing year-round retreats and meeting spaces, and creative environmental education. It is a Christian camp, with Lutheran expression.
Serving the state since 1920, Lutheran Social Services of SD is a responsive community partner, evolving to meet the needs and challenges of South Dakotans of all ages, faiths, races, and economic statuses. Their vision is that all people in South Dakota will be healthy, safe, and accepted. Spirit of Joy is committed to the resettlement of refugee families, collects to support their household goods closet, and has a number of volunteers involved in their ‘Warm Welcomes’ greeter program.
Spirit of Joy partners have supported the New Dawn Learning Center in Monrovia, Liberia since 2023. The Center’s vision was made possible through Changing Lives International Ministries (CLIM), a non-profit launched in 2008. Key dates have included a land purchase in 2008, groundbreaking in 2022, and construction Phase 1 completed with the first K-6th students attending class in 2024. Future goals are roofing and building interiors. We pray for continuing to impact the education, well-being and spiritual growth of young minds in the Duazon Community.
St. Dysmas is an ELCA (Evangelical Church in America) congregation located behind the walls of the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, SD and Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, SD. They also support a Sunday evening worship at the Yankton Minimum Unit in Yankton, SD. Spirit of Joy worships with St. Dysmas annually and has representatives on the Outside Council.
Sharing the Dream has had a meaningful relationship with Spirit of Joy for several years – from board members to product sales helpers. At the end of May, another cohort will travel abroad. The organization began in 1996. Their nonprofit supports such programs as educational workshops, feeding and medical ministries and student scholarships. During Advent we hosted a crowd favorite pop-up to sell our Partner’s fair trade crafts. All proceeds return to the artisans. Sharing the Dream has a local brick and mortar boutique at First Presbyterian or folks can shop or donate online. Their mantra is: “Everything helps, and together we can weave a tapestry of opportunity for our Guatemalan friends.”