Josh Heirigs, Class of 2003
This spotlight features Josh Heirigs, Class of 2003. Josh attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School through 8th grade, back before high school was an option on campus. His experiences at SFLS influenced his decision to become a Director of Christian Education.
Current hometown:
Rochester, MN
Education:
K-8: Sioux Falls Lutheran School, Class of 2003
High School: Lincoln High School, Class 2007
College: Concordia University, Nebraska, Class of 2011
BA Theology, Director of Christian Education Certification
Certified Project Management Professional, 2023
Occupation:
Director of Youth and Education Ministries at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN
How did SFLS prepare you to be World Ready, Faith Secure?
Sioux Falls Lutheran School prepared me for my next steps into the world and grounded in faith in Jesus. I benefited greatly from teachers who invested in me. There’s many I could name along the journey that impacted my faith and life skills during my SFLS days, but one lesson I remember all the time is the attitude adjustment that I received from Mrs. Sarah Sailer my eighth grade year. Like most eighth graders, I had a certain arrogance about myself. God worked through Mrs. Sailer to bring me back down to earth and actually learn something instead of thinking I knew it all. She helped me start to love learning. That lesson from her now helps me teach students the joy of learning more and more about Jesus. I’m eternally grateful she took the time to help me see past myself.
How are the things you learned at SFLS impacting your career?
As a DCE I’m always helping disciple students, children, adults, and seniors to learn from Jesus, and I firmly believe that I would not be in this position as a DCE without people like Mrs. Sailer. She gave me the lesson I remember most–but that was built on years of scaffolding upon the foundation of faith that I was taught. I’m forever grateful for the Holy Spirit moving so powerfully through my teachers.
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is a family community committed to developing capable Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, our vision is to partner with families in preparing children, as led by the Holy Spirit, for faithful and bold use of their God-given gifts to navigate and serve a complex world with the love of Christ.