Participants in the 29^th Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference gathered for worship Friday, morning, June 10,  to share their gifts to heal a broken world.

During the service, Bishop Deb Kiesey invited all to the 2022 Miracle Offering: Wings for Wellness. This is a hope-bringing, spirit-fueled activity that will have a lasting impact on Native American youth served by Tree of Life Ministry and Spirit Lake Ministry.

“One of the most meaningful ways we express our love of God and grow in faith is through our gifts,”said Bishop Deb. “Friends, our Native American neighbors, especially the youth in North and South Dakota, need us to be like Jesus the Healer.”

According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in Todd County, South Dakota, the home of the Rosebud Reservation, 48% of the youth report feeling helpless, being depressed, or having thoughts of harming themselves or someone else. In Benson County, North Dakota, the home of Spirit Lake Nation and where Four Winds School is located, 44% of the youth report feeling helpless, being depressed, or having thoughts of harming themselves or someone else.

Gifts to the 2022 Miracle Offering: Wings for Wellness will be distributed to Todd County Schools in South Dakota and Four Winds School in North Dakota. Funds collected from the offering will have a lasting impact on Native American youth served by Tree of Life Ministry and Spirit Lake Ministry of the Dakotas Conference.

Rev. Bob Ruedebusch

Rev. Bob Ruedebusch, Southwest DS, gave the morning worship message, "Jesus Gets Us," proclaiming that Jesus heals us. Jesus sends us out into the world to be the apprentices of healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God has come near to all of God’s people.

“Jesus’ transforming life has found its way into each of our lives.  Jesus Heal us.  Jesus offers us abundant life but not just for us.  Jesus sends us out into the world to be the apprentices of healing and proclaim the Kingdom of God has come near to all of God’s people.  Church, we need to go to the streets and neighborhoods and offer the powerful healing love of Jesus,” said Ruedebusch.

As of Sataury,  June 11, $43,075 has been collected for the 2022 Miracle Offering: Wings for Wellness. There is still time to give.  Access resources.