This November, voters will decide on many so-called “abortion rights” measures in states across the Union. South Dakota is no exception. On November 5th, voters will decide on South Dakota Constitutional Amendment G, the Right to Abortion Initiative. Our earnest prayer is that this amendment fails to pass, and our intention with this letter is to encourage you to vote “no” on Amendment G.

If Amendment G passes, it will provide a state constitutional right to abortion, using a trimester framework for regulation. It will preclude, then, any meaningful legislation intended to protect the pre-born. To find out more details about this measure you can search online for “South Dakota Amendment G”.

We believe that human life – all human life – is a precious gift from God, and that every person is made in the image of God and deserves dignity and protection. Here is what our affirmation of faith states:

We believe God created humankind immutably as male and female to reflect and bear His image. As such, human beings of every ethnicity, age, ability, as well as the pre-born deserve dignity, protection, honor, respect, and Christian love. Because of Adam and Eve’s free choice to sin, God’s image in all humankind has become distorted and relationship with God has become disrupted. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3:16-19)

Amendment G is a violation of this truth, and we believe that its passing would rob the dignity, protection, honor, and respect from countless pre-born children. This would not be pleasing to God.

Therefore, we urge all voting-eligible members and regular attenders of Faith Baptist Fellowship, and our brothers and sisters in Christ all over South Dakota, to vote “no” on Amendment G.

If you have any questions about this matter, we invite you to reach out to a Pastor or Elder of Faith Baptist Fellowship.

Sincerely,

Pastor Mike Johnson, for the Elder Council

Before Risen Hope Baptist Church launches as a stand-alone church in 2024, we want to take a moment to pause, look back at all that God has done these past 5 years, celebrate his faithfulness and goodness, and give God all the glory. There have been many historic milestones that have led up to this point that I'd like to take a moment to quickly review. Maybe some of you remember these moments yourself?

1. Faith Baptist Is Born. It was back in good old 1979 that a group of believers from Central Baptist Church (then located downtown) began meeting in the dining hall of a nursing home with the hopes of starting a new church in Sioux Falls. Our "mother church," Faith Baptist Fellowship, was officially incorporated and recognized as a church on December 19, 1979. A couple of years later, the church acquired a piece of farm land at the corner of two gravel roads south of Sioux Falls at 57th Street and Minnesota Avenue! The church worshiped in the old farmhouse until the original church sanctuary was constructed in 1986. I know at least one member of Risen Hope Baptist Church was there when it all began! Maybe you know who?

2. Faith Baptist Steps Forward. By 2017 the population of Sioux Falls west of I-29 was well over 50,000 people and steadily growing. Many Faith Baptist families lived in west Sioux Falls and the neighboring westward communities. Options for Bible-believing, Christ-centered churches on this side of town were very limited. Therefore, in the keeping with the spirit of church multiplication that started Faith Baptist Fellowship all those years ago, the congregation of Faith stepped out in faith and voted at a special business meeting on September 10th, 2017 to launch a "second site" of it's own in west Sioux Falls. At that time, a special giving campaign called "Stepping Forward" was started in order to raise the funds needed to start Faith Baptist West. I know that many of you were there for that historic special business meeting and vote as well.

3. Faith Baptist Sends Out. On Sunday, September 9, 2018 Faith Baptist Fellowship West (now Risen Hope) had our first public worship service at the corner of 26th and Ellis Road with about 70 people sent from Faith Baptist and many new friends invited from the community. Many of you were there for that first Sunday too! And so many more have walked through our doors over the past 5 years. We currently have over 300 individuals who consider Risen Hopetheir home church and attend regularly. And we have almost 120 members in total. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. We have a great team of godly elders and passionate, dedicated ministry leaders. We hired our second full-time associate pastor who is bringing much needed focus and leadership to our discipling ministries. We are training up more and more men and women as servant leaders each year. Our finances are making steady and encouraging progress. There are many signs of life and vitality at Risen Hope!

And now...

Faith Baptist Launches Risen Hope. The next history-making milestone is coming up on Friday, November 10th at Central Church (our "grandmother church") here in Sioux Falls. There will be a free catered meal, a time of worship, testimonies of God's work in the lives of Risen Hope attendees, and thoughts from the pastors and elders about where we go from here. This is going to be our last official "one church in two locations" event with our dear friends at Faith Baptist Fellowship before we become "two churches with one mission" at the beginning of 2024. We want you all to be a part of this historic moment. We want you to be able to say, "I was there when Risen Hope Baptist Church was launched!" Will you please register to attend this history-making event today? You can do so by clicking HERE.

One more thing...

In addition to joining the celebration, we are also asking everyone to prayerfully consider giving a special one-time "above and beyond" financial gift to help make history and launch Risen Hope into the future starting next year. In addition to your continued regular giving, we are asking for this "Launch Gift" to ensure that Risen Hope has no problems meeting its financial and ministry obligations right away on January 1st, 2024. We want Risen Hope to launch strong and confidently into this next stage of life. If you're not able to attend the Launchiversary Celebration in person, but would still like to give a special gift, there will be instructions on how to do that coming out shortly. Stay tuned!

Thank you for continuing to pray for the ministry of Risen Hope Baptist Church as we approach this history-making moment together. See you Sunday!

With Risen Hope,

Pastor Jayson Wittrup
Lead Pastor of Risen Hope Baptist Church