Sioux Falls is a growing city in the upper Great Plains; newcomers are almost always surprised at its diversity. The unit currently lives in a rented 4-bedroom house, and most assignments connect with a refugee resettlement program. The supporting congregation is small (30-40 people, including several former VSers), and there is a very strong connection between it and the unit. The church is progressive regarding social issues, strongly emphasizes Anabaptist beliefs, and is community-oriented.
Do you want to serve in a cross-cultural ministry? Then come and serve in Sioux Falls! Those who are called to
serve here will have the opportunity for service in a very diverse cross-cultural setting, which includes around thirty languages. God in His
wisdom, mercy and grace has brought this mission field to the United States! Are you willing to meet the challenge and blessing as found in Matthew 25:40b?
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
The Sioux Falls MVS unit has been a long-held dream of Sermon on the Mount Mennonite Church, which has a strong commitment to service. The unit became a
reality in 1996, and volunteers have worked with refugees and immigrants, mental health day patients and troubled youth as well as supported the local Ten
Thousand Villages self-help crafts store that helps artisans and craftspeople in developing countries.
Sponsoring agencies for the Sioux Falls MVS unit include Lutheran Social Services
and its Refugee and Immigrant Programs; Southeast Mental Health Services (mental health day treatment facility);
Summit Oaks Center
(services for preschool children, after school program for K-5th grade students and at-risk youth);
and Habitat For Humanity (Restore, house building).
Unit life is continually subject to change! The current unit house has a main floor, basement, and attic room consisting of 3 - 4 bedrooms. There is also a garage.
The VS house is located in a pleasant neighborhood close to downtown Sioux Falls,
so walking to work is an option for some assignments. Public transportation
is available and the unit also owns a car for volunteer use.
Other programs that the church supports and participates in are the
Ten Thousand Villages store,
the annual Minn-Kota Mennonite Relief Sale,
Restore,
The Banquet (volunteers provide meals to homeless and hungry people in the city)
and the M2 Prison Visitation program in the state penitentiary.
SMMC has an MVS Support Committee that seeks to help volunteers adjust to their work situations, and gives support, care and help
with problems. The committee and unit members meet monthly to review what is happening at work and in unit life, to review unit income,
budget and expenses and to discuss any unit-related issues. There are usually opportunities for MVSers to report on their work in
other Sioux Falls churches as well as the larger Mennonite communities in South Dakota and Minnesota.
The MVS Unit members are willing to speak to area youth groups and churches. They can be contacted through the church office:
| by calling | |
| by email | |
| or postal mail |
Visit the following site for additional information on Mennonite Voluntary Service.