“Portable,” said Larry Kruger when asked what one word best describes his congregation. It’s not the type of word you’d normally associate with a WELS church. Yet, it fits when describing Prince of Peace, Yankton, S.D.

Portable location

Prince of Peace was established in 1972. Membership dropped in the 1980s, so a retired pastor served the congregation part time. In 1997, Home Missions decided to “restart” the congregation, offering some financial subsidy and the opportunity to call a full-time pastor.

God blessed the congregation with Steve Geiger as that pastor. Geiger’s God-given energy, enthusiasm, and mission-mindedness helped the congregation steady itself and begin to look to the future.

When Prince of Peace realized that an increasing number of members lived 25 miles away in Vermillion, S.D., members decided to open a second location in Vermillion. This second location, named Christ Our Savior, would also help members reach out to a new community. The first services in Vermillion were held at the National Guard Armory. Soon services moved to the University of South Dakota’s Continuing Education Center. At this location, Christ Our Savior can also serve the university’s students.

Portable ministries

Prince of Peace and Christ Our Savior operate as one congregation in two locations. Sunday worship, Bible class, and Sunday school take place in both places—in the morning in Yankton and in the evening in Vermillion—but Prince of Peace and Christ Our Savior share a church council, which includes members from both locations.

“We’re one family,” says Kruger, “but it is niceto have a choice of locations and times to attend.”

The congregation likes to operate outreach events at both locations, but staffing for these events is often shared. For example, each year a Christmas for Kids, Easter for Kids, and vacation Bible school program is usually offered at each location. A teacher from Prince of Peace, though, may also teach at Christ Our Savior. This partnership strengthens each program and allows the congregation to reach out to more community members.

Another shared ministry is broadcast over the local top 40s radio station every Friday morning when Geiger goes on the air with the station’s disc jockey.

“I take key thoughts from that week’s sermon and develop a theme in a way that non-Christians can understand,” explains Geiger. “It’s increased our community awareness. Plus, when members hear me on the radio, they can very naturally start conversations with their co-workers about their faith.”

Portable service