About Us

St. Dysmas Lutheran Church serves men and women who are incarcerated across South Dakota, offering spiritual guidance, prayer, and support alongside worship. Our ministry reaches the South Dakota State Penitentiary (“The Hill”) in Sioux Falls, Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, the Minimum Unit in Yankton, and the Women’s Prison in Pierre. For those who participate, St. Dysmas offers a structured and meaningful ministry both inside and outside prison walls. 

Inside the prisons, volunteers from outside join worship services each week, providing opportunities for members to engage in song, prayer, scripture, and fellowship. These services create a space where hope, reflection, and community connection can flourish, helping men and women feel recognized, supported, and part of a caring faith community.

Beyond worship, our ministry supports members through pastoral care and bible study, as well as reentry preparation and coordination with resources in the community, helping them successfully transition to life after incarceration. 

St. Dysmas operates from its office at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, with staff and volunteers providing both governance and operational support. 

The ministry receives no funding from the ELCA or the Department of Corrections, relying entirely on the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers who make this work possible.

Meet Our Staff

Associate Council

Jerad Shaw - President
Jon Martin - Vice-President
Mindy Dold - Treasurer
Susan Zacher - Secretary
Kevin De King - Immediate Past President
Jason Schramm
Pr. Jaimie Odde

Marti Thompson
Steve Farley
Laura Kuntz
Jillian Gacke
Tony Borsted
Pr. Jeff Backer
Pr. Laura Phillips