Summit House sioux falls seminary immerse yourself while u earn your degree gain heart, mind, and hands for service
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The first annual Harvest Festival was held on Sept. 19, 2009, near A Growing Place and provided food, games, and resources for 500 area residents.
students are serving
mission. theology. service.
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By reaching out to the homeless and working poor at the Answer Center.
about summit house In May 2008, Sioux Falls Seminary seized an opportunity to offer its students a unique, first-hand learning experience while getting involved in the restoration of Pettigrew Heights, an ethnically diverse area in the heart of Sioux Falls. By purchasing a dormitory-style building in the neighborhood, Sioux Falls Seminary has been able to provide affordable housing to six students who, in return, spend at least five hours per week reaching out to and serving in the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood.
new developments
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A garden called A Growing Place, which is located at a nearby elementary school, is serving as a teaching garden. The garden is empowering individuals to become good neighbors, encouraging teamwork, inspiring leadership formation, and becoming a conduit for neighborhood revitalization. If your church or organization is interested in the neighborhood gardening platform for Christian community development, please contact us by calling 800.440.6227.
Sioux Falls Seminary impact
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By collaborating with community leaders to develop a house repair effort to respond to urgent home repair needs and to empower area residents and help neighbors with future repair needs.
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By exploring work opportunities in the Pettigrew Heights area without relocating to Summit House. By mentoring children and youth at the nearby elementary school, the Center of Hope, Bowden Youth Center, and local neighborhood churches.
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By birthing English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at neighborhood churches.
Prayer Requests
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Pray for the safety of the student residents.
alumni in action sfs alumni spotlig ht
“sort of breathed life back into me.” Previously thinking he would leave ministry forever, seminary became a huge turning point in his life, and he discovered that God still had important work for him to do. He gained strength and courage to move on in serving God and his people. Chris is married to Heather and is the father of Justin, age 11 and Brianna, age 10. He serves as the Associate Professor of Youth Leadership at Providence College and Seminary in Manitoba and is currently conducting seminars on compassion fatigue for leaders and caregivers in both Canada and the United States. To learn more about this ministry or his book, visit his website at www.christophermarchand.ca. Sioux Falls Seminary has five copies of Restoring Rebecca which will be sent to the first five people who request it. To do so, please e-mail stayingintouch@ sfseminary.edu.
Restoring Rebecca by Dr. Christopher Marchand
To learn more about Summit House, visit the seminary’s website at www.sfseminary.edu/summithouse.
Action
Faculty W. Jay Moon, Ph.D. Professor of Intercultural Studies For the third consecutive year in a tenyear commitment, Sioux Falls Seminary students, led by Professor Moon, traveled to the Rosebud Reservation in western South Dakota for a mission immersion experience. In addition, Moon led a summer camp for middle school youth, and several seminary students learned and participated in camp ministry. Moon also attended the following conferences: Christian Community Development Association, United Methodist Professors of Mission, and the American Society of Missiology.
Kelly Lashly, M.Div. Instructor of Youth Ministries Lashly and Sioux Falls Seminary student Sarah Hagan co-led an intergenerational mission trip to Rio Grande City, TX, in June 2009. Their team consisted of middle and high school youth and adults of all ages. They ministered alongside Garcia’s Ranch Baptist Church, helping with painting and leading a children’s Bible school program. Lashly is also researching and writing in the area of adolescent development and spirituality as part of her D.Min. program in Youth, Family, and Culture.
Book Description: A compassionate listener and valued advice-giver, Rebecca is constantly sought out by her teenaged peers as a kind of counselor. As Rebecca throws herself into her familiar superhero role, her caring begins to take an emotional toll, and she’s forced to ask the most difficult question of her life: “Is it time to stop caring?” With the help of her dog and a wise veterinarian at the pet hospital where she volunteers, Rebecca comes face to face with radical new ideas that could change the way she cares—and help keep her sanity intact. Shedding new light on the little-known but important issue of compassion fatigue, Restoring Rebecca is written for people who love to care and those who would like to better understand them. It’s a book that will challenge you to face your inner superhero and to fess up to your limitations as a caregiver.
Pray for funding to help sustain Summit House. Pray that strong relationships of all kinds are formed.
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Available for Purchase at: www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.mcnallyrobinson.com www.christophermarchand.ca
Philip Thompson, Ph.D. Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Heritage Dr. Thompson and Sioux Falls Seminary alumnus Ryan Stander (‘03) participated in the 55th annual convention of the College Theology Society at the University of Notre Dame. Thompson served as a panelist for The Gift of Authority: Theological Explorations. He shared his expertise alongside Barry Harvey of Baylor University and Mike Broadway of Shaw University Divinity School. Stander presented a paper on the importance of place in Christian theology and the role it plays in defining the human imprint upon the landscape and in revealing the presence of Christ in the world.
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Fall 2009