On Easter Sunday 2014, the congregation of Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota celebrated the sacrament of baptism as part of the Easter celebration.  However in this church, which averaged 86 in attendance, that Sunday was an experience that very few will ever forget. Pastor Sharla McCaskell led eleven persons in one family to be baptized. They ranged in age from infant to 37 years.  That translates into thirteen percent of their worshipping community.

The baptism event on Easter Sunday is just one example of the Holy Spirit being alive and active in this north Rapid City congregation.  The church has gone from averaging three professions of faith a year to nine.  When it comes to living as a transforming congregation, Knollwood is a great example of how love, openness to God’s grace and calling persons to make a deeper and fuller commitment to Christ are all making a difference in the community.

More than 70 percent of the UMC congregations in the United States did not baptize anyone age 13 or older in 2013, and 55 percent did not baptize anyone age 12 and under, according to the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). In addition, 50 percent of local churches did not have any professions of faith that year. 

The members of the congregation have been very intentional about the growth that has happened.  “We have seen growth in membership of single people and families looking for a smaller church setting. People are more intentional in inviting folks not connected with a church. Youth and children have brought new hope to the church,” said Pastor Sharla McCaskell. 

Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church established an award to recognize a church in each conference that is turning zeros into positive numbers with a renewed focus on discipleship during 2015.

“With the One Matters Discipleship Award, we want to lift up the importance of discipleship and help interpret across the connection what zeros in professions of faith and baptism mean and what moving away from the zeros means,” said Sara Thomas, Deputy General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries and Chief Strategist for Vital Congregations. “Each "1" in those categories represents a transformed life – a life that matters to God, and a life that should matter to us.”

What is unique about Knollwood Heights?  “There is an atmosphere of community that seems to appeal to people who are looking for a more intimate experience. New life has been witnessed through a large number of baptisms and participation by new families.    We also provide worship space for a growing Spanish-speaking congregation in Rapid City,” said McCaskell.

The church has several outreach activities that invite people to be the hands and feet of Christ. Knollwood Height hosts a variety of adult bible studies at the church and one at the Rapid City Public Library. The church is very active in Shoebox Christmas for the Allen School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in western South Dakota.  Each month Knollwood chooses a specific mission to focus on. There is a “Longest Night Service” each year in December, for those grieving the loss of loved ones. A coffee gathering takes place once a month at a local restaurant for anyone who would like to attend.  Photo: Vacation Bible Study outdoors at Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church in Rapid City, June 2015.  Photo from Knollwood Heights Facebook page.

Pastor McCaskell has also been able to grow as a spiritual leader with the church.  “Knollwood has allowed me to be active in the community in many different ways. The church is very supportive and encouraging to my ministry. I have grown personally through my part in our bible studies and hopefully continue to challenge our church community to go be of witness for Christ in our daily lives.”