Kirk & Jennifer Strand
[senior pastor]

Pastor Kirk Strand is originally from Mankato, MN. He moved around a bit as a child, but lived most of his life in Missouri. Pastor Kirk’s wife Jennifer was born and raised in St. Joseph, MO. They were married in August of 1980. Both graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1982. Pastor Kirk wrestled in college and was College All-American at NWMSU. Pastor Kirk received his credentials as an Ordained Minister in South Dakota 1987. He was the Youth Pastor at Sioux Falls First Assembly in Sioux Falls, SD for four years then moved to Brandon, SD to plant the Brandon Valley Assembly of God Church in 1991 and has been her ever since. Pastor Kirk and Jennifer have three children Chris, Cody, and Casey.

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Steve & Tammy Smith
[youth pastor]

Pastor Steve and Tammy Smith are originally from Lincoln, NE and lived there until 1993 when they moved to Grand Island, NE. They met at First Assembly of God in Lincoln, Nebraska and were married in December of 1979. They have three children, Casondra, Danielle, and Camden. Pastor Steve & Tammy worked with Youth in Grand Island, Nebraska at Calvary A/G from 1993-1997. They moved to South Dakota in April of 1997 and began attending Brandon Valley A/G in August of 1997. They started working with the Youth Group in Brandon in July of 2002. Both Pastor Steve and Tammy received credentials for Certified Minister in April 2004. To Serve the Youth of our church and community. To help change their lives through Jesus Christ so that they in turn can help change the lives of others.

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Cathijo McGee
[childrens' pastor]

Cathijo McGee comes to us previously from Oklahoma. She had six children, Josiah, Emali, Maggi, Micah, Lexi, & Saiveon. Pastor Cathijo has been at BVAG since September of 2007.

KIDS FOR JESUS

The purpose of a children’s ministry is to instill in the children’s hearts the Word of God using various tools to convey a spiritual lesson. Our desire is that each child will have a personal relationship with Christ and that He will be their guide in every step that they take. In order to obtain that goal, we have designed our Children’s church to incorporate children in grades Kindergarten through Sixth. Children are dismissed from the adult service following the praise and worship time. Each service has a central theme that coordinates puppets, memory activities, stories, skits, object lessons, music, and/or prayer. Cathijo along with our incredible leadership group, is very excited to help your children develop their relationship with Christ. We consider it a privilege to be such an integral part of your children’s lives and thank you for this honor.

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Dave & Connie Pendley
[fellowship pastor]

Pastor Dave & Connie came to Brandon Valley Assembly of God in January of 2008. They coordinate the small group and fellowship ministries. Jesus himself modeled small group ministry. His group of twelve turned the world upside down. Followers of Jesus “... devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 We are encouraged from God’s Word to not dismiss our times of getting together, especially in these last days. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb 10:25

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Bethany Scarson
[nursery coordinator]

Bethany Scarson and her husband, James, grew up in “small town” Maine. They were high-school sweethearts and were married by his father, Larry at nineteen years of age. They moved west to receive secondary education at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND and graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in ministry in 2002. Shortly thereafter James and Bethany moved to Sioux Falls and began attending BVAG.

Since that time Bethany has received a lot of childcare experience through working at a local daycare for four years and having children of her own. (Brianna, Elijah, and Samuel) Along with being a full-time wife and mother, Bethany enjoys homeschooling her two eldest.

“My desire for our nursery is to (1) provide quality care to small children while enabling parents/guardians to attend worship services without disruption and (2) to use the time I have with the children to make godly, lasting impressions (for example: The Bible is true; God made me; Jesus loves me.) I believe the nursery can positively impact the family of God by providing purposeful worship time in God's house—for both parents and young children.”

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Liza Tegeler
[worship leader]

Liza is originally from Northeast Iowa. She has been working with prayer and worship ministries ever since she graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City. Most recently, Liza has been employed by a non-profit organization called ATLAS. She has been sent from ATLAS of Sioux Falls as a missionary to Brandon Valley Assembly of God to empower and equip members of the congregation to become more invested in prayer and worship - ultimately glorifying God. Liza is excited about the things God is doing in Sioux Falls and Brandon, and she is blessed to be a part of His perfect plan for this region.

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Sue Parton
[christian counselor]

Sue Parton was born and raised in Altadena,. California until age 14, then lived in Rosemead, Temple City, and San Juan Capistrano, CA. Accepted the Lord at age 8 in a little neighborhood Holiness Church and later started attending the Salvation Army Church. Sue attended and graduated from the Salvation Army Training College, San Francisco, CA. She was stationed in various places, Denver, Colorado (home and hospital for unwed girls) and Corps (churches and social services) Rock Springs, Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming; Denver Colorado (Skid row work and mission); Sheridan, Wyoming (Corps); Ketchikan Alaska (Mission Field) and Ventura California (Corps). Later Sue’s husband pastored in the Friends Church, Spring Valley, CA and Ramona, CA. She returned to the Salvation Army as Director of Senior Ministries in El Cajon California and served as Pastoral assistance, social worker, activity leader and also did counseling. From 1988-2000 Sue worked on educational goals, and earned a Bachelor degree in Theology, a Master’s in Biblical Studies, and Doctorate in Christian Counseling. Sue deeply loves the Lord and the people that He has brought into her life. The desire of Sue’s heart is to please Him and encourage others to accept Him and follow His ways. He heals the broken hearted and sets the Captive Free!

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[secretary/office manager]

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