Rapid Growth in Box Elder

Mercy Gate Box Elder officially launched on April 17th, 2022, Easter Sunday. Since our grand launch, we have hit the ground running! God has continued to work through and bless Mercy Gate Box Elder, and we are very thankful!

As soon as the summer began, we immediately started hosting summer mission teams. With the help of mission teams from First Baptist Church (Branson, MO), Ridgecrest Baptist (Springfield, MO), and Crossway Baptist (Springfield, MO), we were able to knock on over 90 percent of the doors in the city of Box Elder, South Dakota and host several block parties in local parks and at an area business. The summer block parties were an absolute success and have added to our congregation. Since launching in April, Mercy Gate has doubled in attendance, and much of our growth is credited to God working through the mission teams' summer evangelism events!

Over the summer, we met several people through our evangelism events who had a desire to come to discipleship classes and Bible study but lacked transportation. Thus, we had a need for a van for a transportation ministry. We had posted in our last newsletter a prayer request for a van, and God answered our prayer! Thank you Ridgecrest Baptist for donating a 12-passenger, handicap accessible van - and thank you, Jesus!

We also have made a special connection with the special needs children in our community! Twice a week, students use the church for specialized one-on-one schooling with tutors to learn in an isolated and more focused environment. We are blessed to be able to help the children of our community grow!

Lastly, we hosted our first annual Christmas Banquet and Concert last month and had over 180 people attend. Those in attendance heard the Christmas story and Christmas songs and were presented with the Gospel. God is definitely at work in Box Elder, South Dakota, and we are so very thankful and blessed to be part of His continuing work for the kingdom!