Kirk & Jennifer Strand
[senior pastors]

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 here ever since. Pastor Kirk and Jennifer have three children Chris, Cody, and Casey.

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Jake & Rachael Koenes
[youth pastors]

Jacob and Rachael met in January 2004 in Aberdeen, SD. They were married in Aberdeen in 2005, where they lived after graduating from Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. Jacob and Rachael volunteered at First Assembly of God, in Aberdeen, helping in the areas of youth ministry and fine arts ministry. The couple and their two sons, Tyler and Jason, moved to Brandon, SD in January 2011. Jacob and Rachael have a passion for youth ministry. Their desire is to see a generation turn their hearts to God; living, serving, and worshipping God.

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Cathijo McGee
[children's pastor]

Cathijo McGee comes to us previously from Oklahoma. She has 5 children: Josiah, Lexi, Emali, Maggi and Micah. She graduated from Trinity Bible College in 1993 and works in our church developing children’s programs. Her family is also very passionate about foster care. Pastor Cathijo has been at BVAG since September of 2007.

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Dave & Connie Pendley
[administrative pastors]

Pastor Dave & Connie came to Brandon Valley Assembly of God in January of 2008. They oversee the office and properties and also 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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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 is presently credentialed with the Assemblies of God as a Licensed Minister. 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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Jeremy & Danielle Dykstra
[young married ministries directors]

Jeremy and Danielle Dykstra are serving in the area of Marriage & Family. They have been married for 7 years and have 3 kids, Kasiah (5), Dyson (4) and Adalie (1). Having overcome several hardships in the past, they are passionate about helping marriages not just survive, but thrive. They both share a love for boating, camping and family time. Jeremy enjoys extreme sports such as wakeboarding. He is currently a construction worker and in the process of earning his degree in ministry. Danielle has a Christian Education degree and is currently a stay-at-home mom. She enjoys writing, speaking and anything that includes time with her husband!

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