A Youth Ministry Prototype Program has been conceived and is being developed to begin on the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Missions. In place is a strong advocate in the person of The Rev. Rob Schwarz, Priest-in-Charge of the Standing Rock Mission. The Standing Rock Reservation overlaps into North Dakota where their successful diocesan youth ministry program can provide resources, counsel, and personnel. We also have two employees/mentors ready to start as soon as we receive the funding.

This is a foundational program that will make a real difference in real lives. The project is a strategic plan targeting the needs of young adults, youth, and the Episcopal Church to potentially be used as a ministry model for other reservations in the Diocese of South Dakota. The program will start with ministry to young adults who will receive training in the areas of youth development, suicide prevention, and spiritual leadership.

This team will work with clergy mentors to develop youth programs geared especially to teens in the local churches on each of the reservations. Integration of Lakota cultural education, using the gifts of local elders, is a primary programmatic component. Involvement with the local schools and communities is essential. The goal is to offer alternative activities, using the successful ministry model of the North Dakota Standing Rock Episcopal Community/Native Young Life: contact time with youth and community, large group meetings, small group meetings, and participation in Thunderhead camping program in the summer.

The Cheyenne River/Standing Rock Youth Project will also provide outreach ministry to high risk youth and support congregational development for the Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Episcopal Mission churches. Two full time, residential Youth Workers will be hired to work with the mission priests-in-charge and serve as Team Mentors as well as providing outreach to local youth who are at risk for suicide, drug/alcohol abuse or any of the other dangers of reservation life. By drawing in area youth for this church based program, congregational development will begin to occur as youth (and adult) involvement grows. The Cheyenne River/Standing Rock Youth Project will serve as a prototype for other reservations within the Diocese of South Dakota, establishing a model and a network which will have a transforming effect on youth ministry throughout the diocese.

The initial, two year program budget will total $342,627. The Diocese of South Dakota is seeking funding from a number of sources. The Episcopal Church of All Angels in Spearfish, SD has agreed to match all donations awarded to this Youth Project up to $100,000. The diocese has currently raised about 30% toward this goal. The ultimate goal is to endow youth ministry in the diocese.

Any and all tax-deductible donations marked for the Youth Project will be gratefully accepted. Send to: