Capital Campaign
Imagine Immeasurably MOre
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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20-21
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Imagine Immeasurably More is a capital campaign inspired by Ephesians 3:20-21. It will fund an addition to the SFLS Upper School, expanding middle and high school capacity to at least two classrooms per grade, while also opening up capacity in the elementary wing for dual class of 1st through 5th grade students. Moreover, it will enable donor-funded “Capstone” projects to complete needed athletic and music facilities for our ever increasing student body.
High School Two Story Addition - Exterior View
High School Two Story Addition - Interior View - Floor 2
High School Two Story Addition - Floor Plan
High School Two Story Addition - Interior View - Floor I
High School Two Story Addition - Interior View from Upper Room - Floor 2
High School Two Story Addition - Site Plan
Working through you, according to His power, God has richly blessed our progress thus far. This campaign represents the next, most significant expansion of this Gospel mission since our new school was built in 2018-2020. Please feel free to view the projected project costs, and know that we are so thankful for your support and partnership.
Thank you for prayerfully considering your greatest gift possible as together we Imagine Immeasurably More for the students and families of Sioux Falls Lutheran School. To make a donation, please complete a pledge form and return it to Sioux Falls Lutheran School: 6715 S Boe Ln, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Background
Since 2016, SFLS has responded to the strong tug of Jesus’ Great Commission “to go”—make more disciples, support more families, educate more children to be capable Christian servant-leaders: world ready, faith secure. We saw God’s vision of one unified campus for infants through high school students—a “family” school that could reach an even higher level of excellence in academics, arts, and athletics, within a bold Christian environment. We did not know how, or when, this would be accomplished. But we firmly believed in His promise that “He is able do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work in us, to His glory, for all generations.” Eph 3:20-21
Indeed, He is able. He has blessed us abundantly with gifts of over $16 million since 2016. And now, we believe, He is calling us again, to complete that 2016 vision and extend our Gospel mission—to Imagine Immeasurably More.
Rapid Progress
According to His power at work in the generous gifts from all of you, His/our 2016 vision has made incredible progress:
A Local Best Preschool, with capacity for 180 “littles” from birth to age five.
Steady progress on the vision of dual elementary/middle-school classes from K-8th grade.
Established a high school, that started with 35 students and has grown to 55 students in three years’ time; and now, anticipating our largest freshman class in the fall of 2024.
Finished our football field and held our first home game, with plenty of room left on our 30 acres for further athletic fields, locker-rooms, and auxiliary gym development.
We will complete construction on our Fitness Center/Athletic Training facility this spring.
God has richly blessed us with a 37% increase in students since moving to Boe Lane in 2020.
A Growing Challenge
Because the school has grown from 292 students in 2019 to over 450 students today and is expected to continue its strong future growth to fulfill the vision of dual K-12 classes, SFLS will be completely out of regular classrooms by the ’24-’25 school year. Our immediate challenges are:
Expanded Middle and High School: We will soon need additional classrooms to complete the vision of dual 6-8th classes, which is integral to our goal for an increasingly robust high school of 200+ students. This will also accommodate dual elementary grades.
Additional Parking: With more classrooms, more staff, more students, the city will require additional parking. Current parents, staff and high school students feel this already.
Kitchen, Restrooms, Administrative Space: We also need to serve the whole school by converting one upper-school classroom to a preparation kitchen. We also need upper-school restrooms and administrative space for the upper-school principal and staff.
Finally, Construction Costs continue rising 8-10%, meaning we simply need to build now.
Why We Need to Complete These Projects Now
The “Why,” Part I: A two-level upper-school addition will: 1) enhance our entire school and further develop our academic, art and athletics programs; and 2) complete the 2016 vision of a family-sized school reaching out to the community, the region, and the world, with excellence in Christian education, developing Christian servant-leadership, with a Gospel worldview.
The “Why,” Part II: The visible need for additional classroom and facility space is relatively easily explained and visualized with the illustrations prepared by architect Steve Jastram. The subtler, yet compelling “why” we need this upper school addition is found in the current realities of Christian education for teens (ages 13-18) in our post-Christian world.
Christian-trends researcher, the Barna Group, reports that teenagers 13-18 are twice as likely as adults to say they are atheist (13% vs. 6%). [pp. 14, 25] Snippets, according to Barna’s surveys:*
Only 4% of Gen Z (ages 13-18) have a true biblical worldview [p.25]. This is alarming.
Having lost a Christian perspective, Gen Z has largely lost their personal identity—"Who am I? Where did I come from? How should I view others?” [pp.41-45]. Christian identity is foundational.
Most GenZ say their friends are from school (80%); only one in five says their friends are from church [p. 49]. Our teens need a Christian family school environment.
“Moral relativism is taking deeper root.” One-quarter of GenZ strongly agree that what is morally right and wrong changes over time based on society and individual moral beliefs.
The Report suggests “church attendance alone does not create distinctive believers.” Instead, those teens who grow up with strong Christian education and intentional discipleship are taking the Bible’s moral principles to heart, while others look more like the broader culture [p.58]. A Christian worldview at home, church, and school is absolutely essential for lasting faith [p.97].
This Report finds the anecdote for teens in a post-Christian culture is careful training, in a safe space, with the ability to ask questions, even difficult ones, and their ability to understand their identity in Christ, their purpose in His kingdom, all with the guidance of committed Christian teachers and mentors [pp. 31-33; 44-45; 75-76; 99-101]. The Report also encourages Christian schools to engage/train Christian parents, who often feel uncomfortable having conversations with their teens on “tough” questions about Christianity, God, and the Bible [pp. 82-84; 99-101].
“We have the opportunity to reimagine what passing on our faith to the next generation looks like in this unique cultural moment. Let’s be creative, courageous and faithful!” [p. 101].
We Can Do It Together
Your gifts will help provide the physical and spiritual space for Sioux Falls Lutheran School to provide the antidote the Barna study describes. Our specific vision, mission and values multiplied by the number of hours we have with each student gives us an exponential opportunity to provide a strong biblical influence in an environment that is culturally relevant for this generation.
We have dedicated Christian teachers, with the best in academics and activities, all integrated with a Christian worldview, an identity in Christ, weekly Chapel, daily devotions and classroom teaching. We have a PeaceWiseKids curriculum, Christian worldview theology classes, and individual/group mentoring sessions with engaged teachers, pastors, directors of Christian education, staff, and peers.
Thank you for prayerfully considering your greatest gift possible as we Imagine Immeasurably More for the students and families of Sioux Falls Lutheran School. To make a contribution, please complete your pledge form and return it to Sioux Falls Lutheran School: 6715 S Boe Ln, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
*Gen Z: The Culture, Beliefs and Motivations Shaping the Next Generation, Barna Group & Impact 360 Institute (2018) www.Barna.com.
THE NEW SIOUX FALLS LUTHERAN SCHOOL BUILDING IS NOW OPEN AT:
6715 South Boe Lane
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
DIRECTIONS TO OUR NEW CAMPUS FROM 69TH STREET & LOUISE AVENUE:
Head west on 69th Street toward Tallgrass Avenue.
Turn left (south) at the stoplight on Tallgrass Avenue.
You'll see our building off to the west between Tallgrass Avenue and I-29. Follow the paved roads at 74th Street and Boe Lane to our parking lot.
Thank you to
our Chapel Seat Challenge donors:
News Stories:
KELOLAND News Story (Aug. 18, 2020)
EYE ON KELOLAND: Sioux Falls Lutheran Students Under One Roof
KELOLAND News Story (July 23, 2020)
EYE ON KELOLAND: Brothers Give Back through Eagle Scout Projects
KELOLAND News Story (Jan. 12, 2020)
EYE ON KELOLAND: Instilling the faith in a new space
KELOLAND News Story (Dec. 19, 2019):
Sioux Falls Lutheran getting ready to move into new building
KELOLAND News Story (Oct. 22, 2019):
Sioux Falls Lutheran’s new state-of-the-art building taking shape
KELOLAND News Story (Feb. 12, 2018): Inside Sioux Falls Lutheran School’s Planned Expansion
Argus Leader Story ( Dec. 12, 2017) Sanford Health to Donate 30 Acres, up to $5 Million for Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Argus Leader Story (Nov. 6, 2016) Sioux Falls Lutheran Seeking $8 Million for New School
School Blog:
