Our Story

Our Story Webpage 2 Banner

1995

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

1996

MARCH

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.

1999

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.

2000

JUNE

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.

JULY

The new mission is named Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church.

AUGUST

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.

SEPT. – OCT.

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

DEC. 3rd

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.

2001

APRIL 29th

First charter Sunday — 65 people sign our charter.

2002

JANUARY

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

NOV. 3rd

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.

2004

MAR. – APR.

Spirit of Joy conducts “Forward in Faith, Growing to Serve” capital campaign to raise money for its first mission center.

2005

APR. 25th

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

2006

FEB. 12th

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.

SUMMER

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.

2008

SEPT. 14th

Spirit of Joy dedicates the Family Life Center.

2009

FALL

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.

2011

APRIL

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

2016

WINTER

The congregation votes to move forward with its dream of developing a preschool for partners and neighbors and hires Amy Cauble to serve as developer and director.

2017

SPRING

Pastor Christy Hallenbeck Ask is called to serve as associate pastor.

2020

Spirit of Joy breaks ground for a building expansion to add a new worship center, larger gathering spaces, and new offices to the current mission center. First worship services are held in the new worship center on Christmas Eve 2020.

2021

SUMMER

Pastor Eric Ohrtman is called to serve as associate pastor.

2022

AUG. 28th

Pastor Jeff Eisele retires after faithfully serving Spirit of Joy as lead pastor for 22 years.

2023

FEB. 12th

Pastor Eric Ohrtman is installed as lead pastor.