Central Church has two places to worship in Sioux Falls: the Southwest Campus at 3102 W. Ralph Rogers Rd. and the Downtown Campus at 1117 W. 11th St. in Pettigrew Heights. It is known for an intentionally relational mission: helping people share the love of Jesus with the 8 to 15 people closest to them, a relationship group the church calls an oikos. Worship, children's ministry, recovery care, education, small groups and mission work connect that purpose across both campuses.
Two Sioux Falls Campuses, One Relational Mission
At the Southwest Campus, a 1,200-seat Worship Center anchors weekend gatherings, while Grand Central serves as a broad gathering space with coffee. The Family Life Center adds a gym and educational wing, and Oakwood Chapel hosts gatherings such as College Central. This campus carries most weekend worship and children's programming.
The Downtown Campus gives Central a direct presence in Pettigrew Heights and Downtown Sioux Falls. Its purpose is to bring hope, transform lives, heal brokenness and help the neighborhood move toward freedom and a fulfilling life. Bill Shepherd serves as Downtown Campus Pastor, while the campus also houses a preschool, recovery ministry and weekday ministries.
From Swedish Baptist Roots to Central Church
Central traces its story to a faith-filled group of Swedish immigrants. Its earliest spiritual roots produced worship, giving, serving, fellowship and mission, principles that remain visible in the church's present work.
- 1880s: A Swedish Baptist Church was organized with Rev. C. J. Johnson as pastor. Meetings took place in homes, rented halls and the basement of First Baptist Church. A 200-seat sanctuary at 633 South Main Avenue was dedicated in 1884.
- 1920s: First Swedish Baptist Church became Central Baptist Church as it shifted from an immigrant church toward a more outward-focused congregation. All Swedish-language services were replaced with English services.
- 1950s: Central purchased the 8th and Spring property, hosted the Baptist General Conference's 74th annual meeting, expanded its radio broadcast, acquired homes and adjacent lots, completed its first annexation and organized a church plant in the Norton-Froelich area.
- 1990s: The property that would become the Southwest Campus was purchased, and churchgoers committed more than $4.4 million toward it. Roosevelt High School's auditorium served as the worship location during construction in 1994, with volunteers setting up and taking down each week. Christmas Eve 1995 was celebrated at the Ralph Rogers Road location.
- 2000s: The Southwest Campus gained its 1,200-seat Worship Center, Grand Central gathering space and the Family Life Center gym and educational wing.
- 2010s onward: Central concentrated on three strategic initiatives: reaching a neighborhood through Downtown, a nation through Ethiopia and a generation through Kid Central, Student Central and College Central. The name changed from Central Baptist Church to Central Church in 2015. In 2021, the congregation adopted the mission of helping people share the love of Jesus with their relational world.
Saturday and Sunday Worship
Southwest Campus worship is held Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:15 a.m., 9:50 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The services are conducted in English and generally last about an hour. Kid Central programming runs alongside the weekend services for children from birth through fifth grade. The Downtown Campus gathers for worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with live worship, a message from Scripture and coffee.
Central's worship is also livestreamed through its YouTube channel. The combination of several weekend services, two campuses and separate ministries for different ages gives families options for how they gather on Saturday or Sunday.
Valet, Orange Lanyards, and a Welcome Desk
- Parking and entrances: First-time guests can use valet service or park anywhere in the Southwest lot. Reserved spaces are available for first-time visitors when they are not occupied. Visitors enter beneath the main canopy or through the Hearth Room or West doors.
- Welcome Team: Volunteers wearing orange lanyards greet people, answer questions, offer directions and help visitors find their seats. The Welcome Desk is a useful first stop for learning about ministries, events and serving opportunities. Guests receive a small welcome gift and can order a free drink from Central Perk.
- Central Perk: Coffee, smoothies and sodas are served in Grand Central. The cafe is open Sundays from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m., making it a natural place to arrive early or connect after worship. A Plan a Visit form lets the church know a guest is coming.
Kid Central From Birth Through Fifth Grade
Kid Central is built around age-specific classes. The nursery serves children from birth through two years, early childhood covers ages three through kindergarten, elementary classes serve first through third grade, and Level Up welcomes fourth and fifth graders. The classes combine Bible teaching, worship, activities and relationships, with Level Up using LifeGroups to help older elementary students discuss Scripture and encourage one another.
Families check children in at a designated station and receive printed tags for the child's shirt and pickup. Drop-off begins 10 minutes before each service, and volunteers wearing blue and pink lanyards can help families find the right room. If staff need to contact a parent during worship, they send a text message, so parents are asked to keep their phones close.
On selected Sundays designated as Family Worship, childcare is provided for children three and younger. Children are also always welcome to remain with their families during worship. For children who process things differently, Kid Central includes a Sensory Room where a child can connect with a buddy and use familiar, comforting tools.
Wednesday Nights at Student Central, Sundays at College Central
Student Central meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. during the school year for students in grades six through twelve. Middle school students enter through the north side of the Southwest property, where they can buy pizza and pop, play in the gym and join air hockey or carpet ball. High school students enter through Grand Central for free pizza and pop before gathering with friends. LifeGroups are organized by gender and grade, followed by worship and teaching in the Worship Center. Adam Barrett serves as Next Gen Pastor, with Josiah Jansen leading high school ministry and Kalie Jordan leading middle school ministry.
College Central gathers on Sundays during the school year. A shared meal begins at 5:30 p.m., worship and biblical teaching take place in Oakwood Chapel at 6:00 p.m., and LifeGroups meet at 7:00 p.m. The gathering is designed to encourage college-age students to become lifelong followers of Jesus and to multiply the life change of the gospel across college campuses in Sioux Falls. Austin Arends serves as College and Residency Pastor.
Oikos and the Practice of Sharing Faith
Oikos is a Greek word meaning household or family, and Central uses it to describe the 8 to 15 people closest to a person. Those relationships can include friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors, some who are close to God and some who are far from God. The church's mission is to help people talk about what Jesus is doing in their lives with those people, using honest and natural conversations rather than forceful presentations.
- Oikos in 20: A 20-minute introduction with practical ways to discuss spiritual subjects with friends, family and coworkers.
- The Quest: Ten short training sessions that help participants engage people for Christ.
- Live Sent: A five-week course meeting for 90 minutes each week to help people share their spiritual story and ask spiritual questions.
- Apologetics Class: Monthly training for defending Christian beliefs, engaging in thoughtful discussion and building spiritual confidence.
These courses support a wider culture of discipleship in which people learn to listen, tell what they believe and welcome others into deeper questions about faith.
Believer's Baptism and Membership
Central teaches that baptism is an important step in the life of a believer. It is described as an outward expression of an inward change, a public declaration of allegiance to Christ. Baptism by immersion symbolizes being buried with Jesus and raised to new life through his power. It does not save a person; it symbolizes the salvation already received through faith.
Central offers three settings for baptism. Believers can be baptized during a regular Saturday or Sunday service, at a baptism celebration held a few times each year, or after the 11:30 a.m. Sunday service. The first setting includes a testimony video and baptism during worship. At a celebration, participants give a short testimony before being baptized alongside others. After the late Sunday service, weather permitting, a baptism tank is placed in Grand Central or beneath its awning. A baptism class and application are required.
Those who call Central their home church are encouraged to pursue membership. The stated requirements are completing Connection Class and being baptized by immersion since becoming a believer. Membership is described as the practical expression of sharing the gospel, participating in the mission of Jesus and growing in spiritual maturity.
LifeGroups, Forged, Woven, and Groups for Every Season
LifeGroups are Central's expression of living life in community. They meet in homes, churches, libraries and other spaces for Bible study, prayer, relationships and support. The church lists co-ed, women and men groups, including groups for young families, couples, college students, adults in their twenties, adults in their 30s and 40s, women over 50, and adults 60 and older. An Adult Deaf Community communicates using sign language, while several groups offer childcare. First-time group participants can use an inquiry process designed to match people with a group that fits their needs and availability.
Forged is Central's men's ministry. Its Huddles are small groups of men who study the Bible, pray and fellowship. Forged also meets monthly for a meal, message and conversation around tables. Additional men's pathways include Followers Made, a six-month journey of weekly small groups and daily Scripture reading, and the 10-week Conquer Series focused on sexual integrity.
Woven is a community for women and teens that studies the Bible, prays and builds fellowship through smaller groups called Threads. Ladies Fun Nights create social gatherings for women and teen girls through activities such as kitchen parties, crafts and games. Young Adult ministry serves people ages 23 to 30 who are seeking identity, belonging and purpose. The Koinonia and Friendship Adult Communities welcome adults 60 and older for Sunday Bible study and connection.
Central also provides marriage groups for engaged and newly married couples, blended families, empty nesters and couples in crisis. Other focused groups include Rooted, which explores practices for loving and understanding God's Word, and an apologetics class for people who want to explain and defend their Christian faith.
Care and Recovery Through Difficult Seasons
Central's Care and Connection ministries provide prayer, practical support and companionship for people facing difficult circumstances. The Care and Connection team includes Pastor Neil Downey, Pastor Roger Anderson, Associate Care Director Jerry Swangel and Visitation Pastor Randy Tweeten. A Frontline Team also gathers to pray for the church. A visitation team shares the love and mercy of Christ with people who are homebound and cannot attend a weekend service.
Recovery Groups meet at both campuses. The Southwest group meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the lower Family Life Center studio, while the Downtown group meets Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The groups use the 12 Steps as a course of action involving commitment, accountability and support, applying them through a Christian lens as participants pursue healing and lasting transformation.
Specialized recovery ministries include Conquer for men processing sexual addiction and Betrayal and Beyond for women affected by a spouse's addiction. The Conquer series uses a 10-week format of small-group discussions and practical resources. Betrayal and Beyond addresses trauma, healthy boundaries, forgiveness and restoration through a workbook and shared support.
Other care groups include Anchored for women facing infertility, miscarriage or child loss, GriefShare for people who have lost a loved one, and Grieving with Hope for bereaved parents. The Prodigal Journey supports families grieving a family member's drift from faith. DivorceCare is a 13-week program for adults that begins twice each year, and DivorceCare 4 Kids serves children ages six through 12. These ministries combine biblical teaching with honest conversation, prayer and community.
Preschool and Kindergarten in Two Parts of Sioux Falls
Central Preschool and Kindergarten provides Christian education for children from age two through kindergarten. Certified head teachers lead half-day preschool classes for two, three, four and five-year-olds. Kindergarten meets two full days and three half days, and the program follows an August through May school year. The school seeks to combine caring relationships with age-appropriate learning and a Christian environment.
Central Downtown Preschool is a Christ-based school offered through a partnership with the Sioux Falls Hope Coalition. It serves three through five-year-olds in the Downtown and Pettigrew Heights community, emphasizing one-to-one teacher-child experiences, strong peer relationships and play as an important part of learning. Certified head teachers and assistant teachers lead classes, with activities in the gym, music and movement. Before- and after-school care runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The school provides lunch, transportation in some areas, childcare assistance and scholarships, and the Hope Coalition offers free preschool to qualifying families.
Serving Through Local Partnerships
Serving at Central takes many forms, including greeting, coffee, valet parking, check-in, worship production, prayer, children's ministry, student groups, college mentoring, care and outreach. The church's local-partner network focuses on housing, food security, education, crisis support and spiritual care. Congregants participate through prayer, volunteering, material donations and working alongside partner organizations.
Partners include Bishop Dudley Hospitality House for people seeking stability, The Banquet for meals and fellowship, Fair Market for affordable food, Breakthrough Christian Counseling, Call to Freedom for survivors of trafficking, Compassion Child Care, Foster 605, Hope Harbor for teenagers, Hope Haven for people with disabilities, LifeLine Children's Services, Prison Lighthouse Fellowship and SHIFT Garage. These relationships extend Central's practical mission beyond its own campuses while keeping faith and service connected.
A Long-Term Ethiopia Mission
Ethiopia became one of Central's three strategic ministry initiatives in 2015, and the first Central team traveled there in January 2016. The church continues to send teams several times each year and supports Ethiopian partners through the Kingdom Fund. The work ranges from family care and church multiplication to education, business training, disability assistance and Bible distribution.
- Selamta: This organization works to restore family relationships for children who have been orphaned, abandoned or living on the street. Central's partnership includes sponsorship of a Forever Home and an English camp that taught Bible stories.
- The Timothy Initiative: Central's support has contributed to more than 2,200 churches being planted in Ethiopia, along with 10,850 physical Bibles and 2,700 audio Bibles in local dialects.
- Partners Worldwide: This global network works through locally led institutions to create jobs and equip businesspeople as partners in ending poverty.
- Make Your Mark Global: Central has provided computer laboratory materials and supported staff training and Bible studies for programs serving children in extreme poverty.
- M.K.A.:strong> This Ethiopian ministry equips pastors through seminary education and seminars and conducts outreach including feeding programs and street evangelism. Central has also sent emergency food and medical supplies through its work in the Tigray region.
- Emmanuel Disability Association and Workshop: Central has distributed more than 100 wheelchairs and 40 prosthetic limbs through this ministry, which also creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- Adams Thermal Foundation: Central has helped build two high schools for at-risk children, complete a water project in Ottoro, develop school feeding and spoken English programs and support the sponsorship of hundreds of students.
The Ethiopia initiative reflects Central's conviction that discipleship involves relationships, education, spiritual formation and practical care. It also gives members of the church concrete ways to participate through funding, mentoring, gifts and mission trips.
Giving, Planned Gifts, and Mission Expansion
Central describes generosity as a response to God's love that includes money, time and talent. People can give online as a one-time contribution, a recurring gift or a contribution to a specific fund. Secure donation boxes are located at the back of the Worship Center and Oakwood Chapel and at the West Entrance.
The Central Foundation handles planned giving, including stocks, mutual funds, donor-advised funds, agricultural assets, business interests, vehicles, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, estate gifts, life insurance and retirement accounts. The Kingdom Opportunity Fund directs tithes and offerings toward ministries aligned with Central's mission, while Mission Expansion supports the church's efforts to provide space for worship and community gatherings. Central also makes monthly financial dashboards, finance reports and approved budget summaries available to its congregation.
The Gospel at the Center
Central's 12 foundational statements describe beliefs rooted in Scripture and the core doctrines of the Christian faith. The church's gospel-centered identity is visible throughout its life: the good news that the love of Jesus changes lives, salvation received through faith, baptism by immersion as a public testimony, the work of God's Spirit, Scripture as the foundation of belief, and the calling to share faith within everyday relationships.
Central Church is a Southwest congregation and a Downtown neighbor joined by one relational mission. Its weekends center on worship, its weeks are filled with groups and ministries for different ages and seasons, and its service extends from Sioux Falls to Ethiopia. The church that began with Swedish Baptist families meeting in homes continues to pursue the same purpose in its own setting: help people know Jesus, belong to community and carry the love of Christ into the relationships that shape their lives.