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bringing
new life to congregations
ans we rs: d n a s n io q uest
and realize growth. The children’s time started with under five kids and has now grown to around 30-40 children, all under the age of 10. “I truly believe that God has a plan for the church which includes raising up people in the church to be community ministers,” said Blyth. “We are providing a place for worship that is very relevant by blending rockin’ Lincoln Brewster with sacred hymns.” Blyth is confident that in the weeks, months, and years to come, Orchard Community Church, one of the oldest churches in the North American Baptist Conference, will continue reaching out to the community with God’s love and grace. “Honestly, each pastor has a combination of his/her personality in concert with the calling on his/her heart. [If I am no longer here] I assume God will bring in someone who can continue the growth and multiply the impact of the church on the community.”
with Rev. Randy Tschetter, Director of Church Relations and Alumni In an era of mega churches and high-profile pastors and ministries, it is exciting to discover how God is bringing new life to congregations in a whole host of places—large and small, urban and rural. Pastors Dennis Webber and Melissa Hiatt provide a brief overview of how God is blessing the faithfulness of his people in two very different ministry contexts.
But for today, as the church continues to bloom and experience a new stage in its life, it plans to keep its presence in God’s Kingdom known. How so? By listening to God and continuing to serve him—“making disciples through prayer, biblical education, building bridges to the unchurched, celebrative worship, generous giving, genuine care, and living with integrity.”
q&a
question:
pastor brad blyth
how did seminary prepare you for service?
M.Div., MAMFT, 1994
question: what led you to answer the call to ministry?
answer: I had felt called into ministry since I was young. By the age of 15, I had my plan in place to attend Bible college and then seminary for my M.Div. My heart has always been burdened to help people. In addition to extended family, the three oldest cousins in my family are pastors. My grandparents were missionaries. For us, ministry is true love for the Lord in action—a joy.
Sioux Falls Seminary impact
8
answer: There were so many professors that enriched my ministry I can’t even begin to name them. Much of who I am now in ministry was started at the seminary in Sioux Falls. One situation stands out in my memory. In my first semester, now president Mike Hagan was my Old Testament Professor . . . . I went to see him about something, and he confronted me about my pastoral skills. Then, he shut the door. To be succinct, he told me that I better quit being the way I was or I would never make it in ministry, nor would he recommend me. Mike essentially said that ministry required a selfless love and devotion to the Lord that needed to have a depth so much more than I was displaying. That was a turning point for me. It has caused me to create many moments of self-examination throughout my spiritual growth even to this day . . . . It has made me further orient my entire life around Jesus as Lord. That is what makes me who I am today as a pastor.
alumni in action
pastor
pastor
Melissa Hiatt MAMFT, Sioux Falls Seminary, 1995
Dennis Webber M.Div., Sioux Falls Seminary, 1982
Associate Pastor of Discipleship, Community, and Leadership Trinity Baptist Church, Sioux Falls, SD
Pastor Valley Baptist Church, Milbank, SD
rt: What interesting and exciting things have been
rt: I have heard some exciting things are happening at
happening at Trinity Baptist Church?
Valley Baptist Church. Can you share more?
mh: After nearly two years of praying and waiting upon God’s guidance, the church approved a new mission statement in January 2008. It simply says: “Our mission is to live the way of Jesus.” From helping a seminary student in our congregation raise funds for an angiogram, to providing assistance to four families who were left homeless after a fire, to donating supplies for distribution at the Union Gospel Mission, to providing gifts and labor to Summit House, and to the Garfield Project, many of the things Trinity has accomplished this past year have come from individuals in the congregation who were prompted by the Holy Spirit.
dw: In the spring of 2008, we began a very modest out-
rt: What is the Garfield Project? Tell me more.
rt: Valley Baptist Church has a significant German
mh: During a staff meeting, we asked: “If Trinity Baptist
heritage. How did you deal with the language barrier?
Church no longer existed, would we be missed by our community?” That led to an outreach effort called the Garfield Project. Garfield Elementary School is located only a few blocks from the church in a low socioeconomic and multicultural area.
dw: A church member speaks fluent Spanish and has
continued on page 9.
continued on page 9.
reach to Hispanic families in this area. Things appear to have developed rapidly. In reality, several people in the church had been praying for years for a cross-cultural ministry opportunity. One family in the church, who employs several Hispanics at their dairy, suggested some opportunities for outreach and service. The church started helping one family who was experiencing a difficult pregnancy by donating furniture and house cleaning. These contacts led to a Good Friday meal and showing of the Jesus Film in Spanish.
helped interpret at various events. We have also used the ongoing counsel of a missionary couple from Minnesota whom we supported for many years while they served in Mexico. They answered questions and
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Spring 2009