Sunday Mornings at Shalom
Shalom Christian Reformed Church gathers every Sunday at 9:30 AM in its sanctuary on the southeast side of Sioux Falls. The service blends traditional and contemporary music and is led collaboratively by ministry staff and engaged volunteers. Biblical teaching, Christ-centered worship, and opportunities for all ages to get involved are the rhythm of Sunday morning, and members look forward to special worship moments through the year, including praise and testimony nights, youth-led services, the flowering of the cross at Easter, and candlelight services at Christmas.
Fellowship time follows at 10:45 AM. Visitors who plan to come are warmly encouraged to let the church know in advance, so they can be greeted personally and receive a small gift of welcome. The Sunday gathering includes nursery care for the youngest children, a Children and Worship program for ages three and four, and a Kid Zone for kindergarteners through fifth graders. Children begin in the service with their families for the opening portion of worship, then are dismissed for teaching tailored to their age.
Shalom Kids: From Nursery Through 8th Grade
Shalom Kids, the umbrella for children's programs from birth through 8th grade, is built around the conviction that a daily walk with Jesus starts young. The church partners with families to nurture a lifelong walk with Christ through engaging, safe spaces where children can learn about God's love, ask questions, and grow alongside peers.
The Nursery serves infants through age three during the worship service. A team of volunteers provides attentive care so that parents can worship with peace of mind. Children and Worship welcomes three- and four-year-olds for an age-appropriate Bible lesson that follows the opening portion of the main service. Loving teachers use wooden figures, felt backgrounds, songs, prayers, and response activities, finishing the hour with a craft and snack.
Kid Zone is the program for kindergarteners through fifth graders. Younger children gather in the Fireside Room for large-group time, and second through fifth graders meet in their own space for teaching, games, and skits before breaking into grade-level small groups. On Communion Sundays, only Children and Worship is offered for three- and four-year-olds, and on months with a fifth Sunday, one of those Sundays becomes a family worship day. Shalom Kids' Kits, filled with engaging activities, are available in the narthex on Sundays without elementary programming.
Two midweek programs round out children's ministry. GEMS Girls' Clubs, for girls in 2nd through 8th grade, meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM and includes weekly Bible study, crafts, badge work, worship, and meaningful relationships with peers and counselors. Cadets, for boys in 3rd through 8th grade, meets on most first and third Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM and focuses on Bible study, outdoor skills, stewardship, and character development. Vacation Bible School is part of the annual rhythm of children's ministry.
All volunteers who work with children at Shalom undergo comprehensive background checks and training, and a security team is present each Sunday. Elizabeth Akindejoye serves as the Children's Ministry Director and is available to answer questions about the programs.
Middle School and High School Youth
Shalom Youth strives to help students discover who they are in Christ and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. The high school group, for students in 9th through 12th grade, meets on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 PM for a time of deep worship, dynamic teaching, and special events through the year. The middle school group, for students in 6th through 8th grade, gathers every second and fourth Sunday night from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for engaging lessons that help students discover how God has designed them to share their gifts. Both groups have their own social media pages and can be reached through the church office.
Adults Growing Together
Adult ministry at Shalom is built around the idea of living daily in community with Jesus, at home, in the workplace, in the neighborhood, and in the church family. The church encourages members to join a Life Group that meets on a regular basis through the year, made up of people in similar stages of life who study the Word, pray, and fellowship together.
Coffee Break is a Tuesday morning Bible study for women of all ages that blends Bible teaching, friendship, and hospitality. A kids' program runs alongside it, with Bible stories, crafts, and snacks, so mothers can attend while their little ones are cared for. A monthly Bookclub brings women together to explore faith through selected readings and meaningful discussion. Bible studies are offered through the year for all adults, with the option of joining a small group in a home setting during the school year.
Fellowship is woven through the life of the church. A potluck on the first Sunday of every month brings people to the table. The fall kick-off picnic gathers the congregation in a nearby park at the start of the school year. First Fridays is a monthly gathering for those 55 and older with coffee and connection, including special events tailored to the group. Men's and women's evenings offer fellowship and spiritual encouragement, and the whole congregation looks forward to the annual Soup-er Bowl fundraiser, Bingo nights, and a congregational talent show.
Wednesday night meals are a weekly rhythm of hospitality and service, and small groups, Bible studies, and outreach programs like Coffee Break and the Friendship Ministry use the church building through the week.
Friendship Ministry: A Place of Belonging
Friendship Ministry is one of the most distinctive ministries at Shalom. The program is designed for friends 18 and older with intellectual disabilities and offers a time of fellowship, Bible study, prayer, music, and snacks. The group meets at Shalom CRC, worships in the sanctuary, and then moves to the Family Center for refreshments and connection. Meetings take place on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, beginning in mid-September and running through April with a break over Christmas and New Year's Day.
The ministry exists because the church believes that God includes people of all abilities in His family and seeks to help everyone from that family worship together. Mentors are always needed alongside new friends, and families and caregivers can connect through the church office.
Outreach Across Sioux Falls and Beyond
Outreach at Shalom is described as essential, not optional, and the church supports several local and global initiatives. The Furniture Mission provides gently used furniture and household items free of charge to families in need, with recipients referred through trusted partner agencies. Mission work extends to Haiti, where partners live out Matthew 10:7-8 by preaching, bringing healing, and demonstrating the love of Jesus village by village; child sponsorship and team support are both available.
Closer to home, Shalom partners with Lifeline's Harbor Families program to walk alongside children and families experiencing crisis or isolation through trained church teams offering practical and relational care. The Outreach Team also sets aside funds each year to empower Shalom members pursuing their own outreach initiatives. Bryan Langfitt serves as the Director of Communications and Outreach and oversees these partnerships and the funding request process.
What Shalom Believes
Shalom's mission is to inspire people to grow in their relationship with Jesus, worship God, care for others, and share the Good News. The church lives this out through what it calls the Four Movements: Discipleship, Worship, Community, and Service. Discipleship is growth through the Bible, prayer, and intentional community. Worship is the joyful response to who God is and shapes daily life. Community means walking together in love and truth. Service flows outward as members love their neighbors in practical ways, from local outreach to global missions.
Shalom belongs to the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a Reformed tradition that shapes the church's teaching and identity.
Planning a Visit
Shalom CRC is located at 4100 S. Southeastern Ave. on the southeast side of Sioux Falls. Sunday worship begins at 9:30 AM, with fellowship following at 10:45 AM. Visitors with children will find nursery care for infants through age three, Children and Worship for ages three and four, and Kid Zone for kindergarteners through fifth graders. All volunteers working with children have completed background checks and training, and a security team is present each Sunday.
Services are livestreamed, with an archive of past sermons available online. The church offers online giving and a RightNow Media library. Visitors who would like a personal greeting and welcome gift can fill out a visit form online.