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Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Berea of Sioux Falls, SD, is served by Pastor Mark Gurath Berea Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Mission congregation of the Church of the Lutheran Confession, located in the city of Sioux Falls, SD. The beginning of Berea dates back to 1977, when a preaching station was started in the home of Dale Snyder in Hartford, SD. The group of a few families was served by Pastor Vernon Greve of Trinity in Watertown and Zion in Hidewood, SD. Services were held twice each month. In 1981, a new worship location was established in Sioux Falls, at the Valley National Bank building. As of 1982, the services were held on a weekly basis, having an average attendance of 21. The name Berea Evangelical Lutheran Church was chosen, and in 1984 the CLC board of Missions determined to support Berea as an exploratory mission by supporting a pastor on a two year basis. In June of 1984, Seminary graduate Roland Gurgel is installed as Berea's first pastor. In September of 1986, four acres of property are purchased in the Northeast corner of Sioux Falls on East Madison Street. Ground breaking takes place in October of 1987, and in February of 1988, Berea holds its first worship service in the new church. July of 1988 saw the dedication of the church/parsonage building. Also serving the congregation following Pastor Gurgel were Pastor Lawrence Bade, Pastor James Shrader, and Pastor John Hein. Currently the congregation is served by Pastor Mark Gurath, having been installed in January of 2001.
Berea's membership consists of a dedicated, loving group of
Christian men, women and children, who continue to faithfully use the
means of grace, and have a deep rooted desire to share the Gospel of
Christ crucified with the people in their comminuty. The Lord
continues to present the people of Berea with new opportunities to
share the gospel, as Sioux Falls is a rapidly growing comminity of
125,000 in the Southeast corner of South Dakota. The Lord has
allowed Berea to continue serving those in the Sioux Falls area, with
much needed and appreciated support from the CLC Board of Missions.
Through this subsidy program, the people of the CLC are helping
spread the gospel among the people of the Sioux Falls area.
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