About Us
Who We Are
The South Dakota Synod is one of the 65 Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a church so deeply and confidently rooted in the Gospel of God’s grace that we are free to give our lives joyfully in witness and service.
Our Vision: “That All May be Fed”
Nurtured in Word and Sacrament,
God sends us to become a joyful sign of God’s abundant blessing as we:
- proclaim the good news of Jesus to every hungering soul,
- share compassion with all who suffer, and
- feed all whose bodies lack nourishment.
Core Values
Prayer, Human Dignity, Gratitude, The Neighbor, Grace
We commit ourselves to:
- Pray without ceasing,
- Respect the sacred dignity of every human being,
- Cultivate a deep sense of gratitude to God, the giver of all good things,
- Seek out and befriend the neighbor,
- Remain humble in the conviction that our calling comes purely by the grace of God.
Download a printable version for use in your congregation.
The South Dakota Synod Staff
Bishop
The Rev. David B. Zellmer (bio)
Phone: 605-274-4020
Program Staff
Susan Marone, AIM
Associate to the Bishop
Phone: 605-274-4022
The Rev. Bill Tesch (Bio)
Associate to the Bishop,
Director of Evangelical Mission
Phone: 605-274-4026
Suzanne Hansen, AIM
Faith Family Style Director
Phone: 605-274-4105
The Rev. Karen Rupp
Native American Ministries Director
Phone: 605-867-5262
Cathy Larson
Companion Synods Coordinator
Phone: 605-274-4031
Support Staff
Lois Borchardt
Business Manager
Phone: 605-274-4025
Kevin Stillson
Coordinator of Evangelical Mission and Communications
Phone: 605-274-5035
Crystal McCormick
Candidacy and Mobility Office Coordinator
Phone: 605-274-4024
Our offices are located in the Chapel Building on the campus of Augustana College, Sioux Falls. You’ll find a campus map here. (We are #18 on the map.)
