Update on Reformed Churches in North Dakota

Two General Assemblies ago, our Stated Clerk, Dr. Roy Taylor, reported that there was now a PCA Church in Alaska. According to Dr. Taylor, this meant that we now had a PCA in all 50 States. Sadly, he was incorrect. At that time, we did not have a Church in North Dakota.

I'm sure not many people think about North and South Dakota. I was one of those people about five years ago. Then, the Lord called me to South Dakota to pastor in Spearfish, a town about 10 miles from the Wyoming border. I have gotten to know the Church situation in South and North Dakota pretty well over the past few years, and I do have a heart to see the Biblical faith thriving not only in my local parish but all throughout our region.

The situation in South Dakota is quite different from North Dakota. South Dakota has quite a few Reformed Churches including Churches of the PCA, OPC, RCUS, and now one from the URC. There is hardly any town of significant size that does not have a confessional Reformed Church of some type.

As of two years, there was an OPC in the rural town of Carson, North Dakota. They have been attempting to plant a Church in the city of Bismarkc for a long time with minimal success. There was no Church in Grand Forks or Fargo. There was and is still a small RCUS in Minot, ND. There are also a few rural RCUS Churches in North Dakota. In short, the situation was rather bleak. The PCA had had a Church in North Dakota, but it closed about five years ago.

The situation is still somewhat bleak, but some light has begun to appear. First, the PCA is now planting a Church in Grand Forks. Members of Faith PCA in Warren, MN decided to move the Church to Grand Forks. They have had some success in reaching to the people there. We are examining a man to serve as their Pastor in our meeting next week. I should also mention that Pastor Lane Keister is serving an RCA & CRC out of binds on the Missouri River just north of the South Dakota border.

The OPC continues its work in Bismarck, but another small group has now gathered together in Fargo. They are attempting to plant an OPC Church in Fargo.

The RCUS is also attempting to plant a Church in Jamestown (about an hour west of Fargo). They have two rural Churches near the South Dakota border in Ashley and Hosmer. They also have another rural congregation in Anamoose. The Church in Minot is currently looking for a Pastor, but it seems to be doing well.

In sum, the Reformed Faith is in a rather precarious position in North Dakota. The situation is a little better than it was two years ago, but, in my opinion, none of the Church plants are yet firmly established in the major cities of Grand Forks, Fargo, and Bismarck.

I would ask you to pray for North Dakota. Pray that the Lord would establish faithful Reformed Churches there. Pray also for the small groups that are just getting started in some of North Dakota's major cities. Also, if you have relatives or friends who might be interested in a Reformed Church in these areas, please try to get them in contact with the groups there.

The challenges in South Dakota is similar to that of North Dakota. Many of our Churches are in rural areas that are declining. However, our Churches in the "city" areas have opportunities. Most of the people in North and South Dakota consider themselves Christian, but the level of knowledge is very low. There is a lot of cultural Christianity. Please pray that we who minister in these places will have wisdom, tact, and courage as we speak of the wonders of our glorious Savior to the many around us who do not know Him.