St. Dysmas of South Dakota - Prison Ministries

The History of St. Dysmas of South Dakota

By: St. Dysmas of South Dakota

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March, 07 2007

Efforts to organize the first St. Dysmas of South Dakota congregation began in Spring 1988. Pastor Ed Nesselhuf, who spent three years as the founding pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's
(ELCA) first "congregation behind bars" in Jessup, Maryland, came to South Dakota in 1987 as pastor of the University of South Dakota's Lutheran Center in Vermillion and assisted with establishing the same model in South Dakota.

Penitentiary officials were receptive to the idea and then Warden, Herman Solem, took part in the first meeting regarding St. Dysmas of South Dakota in November 1988 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.
The more than 50 people who attended the meeting expressed enough interest to create a New Ministry Profile. That document served as a guideline for the ELCA Division for Outreach in approving the creation of this unique ministry. Throughout 1989 groundwork was laid and the ministry received final approval from the Department of Corrections in Fall 1989.

That same year, the South Dakota Synod of the ELCA began the process of searching for a developing pastor and forming a steering committee made up of members of the inmate population. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit and with much prayer and discussion, the process led to calling Pastor Leroy Iseminger to start the congregation within the walls of the South Dakota State Penitentiary (SDSP). He served the congregation up to October 1999, remaining as interim pastor until April 2000.

On Ascension Day, May 24, 1990, the first worship service was held at the Sioux Falls SDSP. One feature of the service was the inclusion of
16 visitors, members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison, SD.
During that first service, there were few traditional symbols to remind worshipers of God's presence. The temperature was unbearably warm, worn drapes couldn't keep the western sun out of worshiper's eyes, water stains from a leaky roof streaked the walls of the room, and the steel bars on the window were a grim reminder of where the service was taking place. Even the breeze wafting through the open windows carried a pungent odor from the nearby stockyards and meat packing plant. However, through their confession of faith, the worshipers affirmed that God was in their midst. Gary Randall, a professional guitarist and singer from the visiting congregation, sang "He Is Here." That song, together with the understanding of the "theology of the cross" - that God is present where He appears to be most absesnt - helped everyone get through the evening.

On April 22, 1991, members of the prison congregation selected the name St. Dysmas of South Dakota. It was chosen because Dysmas is believed to be the name of the thief who, as he hung on the cross beside Jesus, asked to be remembered. It was hoped that, when people heard the name, they would remember those in prison who often feel forgotten and abandoned.

At the beginning of this ministry, it was not envisioned that St.
Dysmas of South Dakota would extend beyond the main penitentiary unit.
However, as inmates who had attended St. Dysmas inside the walls of SDSP were transferred to other prison facilities, they requested that the ministry follow them there. In order to meet that need, additional part-time staff and volunteers were added to provide worship services and/or Bible studies. Expansion was first made to the Springfield Correctional (now known as Mike Durfee State Prison) and later to other units in Sioux Falls. In 2006 the ministry was expanded to both Rapid City's Minimum Unit and the Black Hills Community Alternatives, as well as Yankton's Minimum Unit.

Pastor Dave Christenson served at St. Dysmas - Sioux Falls from May 2000 to December of 2005, when current Pastor, Bill Hamill, began serving there. Pastor Bill Greaver serves at St. Dysmas - Springfield.

There are many church groups and individuals - too numerous to mention
- who have and are assisting St. Dysmas in a variety of ways:
. Donating Bibles, communion ware, banners, music books, and other
necessary items
. Providing financial and prayer support
. Serving on the Associate (Advisory) Council, a requirement since the
Church (Inmate) Council cannot make some decisions, i.e. regarding finances
. Assisting with music and Bible studies
. Visiting worship services

Church groups and individuals who would like more information about volunteering at a St. Dysmas congregation should contact the appropriate site:
Sioux Falls - 605-338-1735
Rapid City, Springfield or Yankton - 605-664-0066

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