Keith & Roberta Beukelman lived in a very small town and were part of a small church family in Southwest Minnesota for over 30 years before moving to Sioux Falls in the summer of 2006.
They say of that time, “The process of finding a new church home was much more difficult than we expected.”
They visited many churches over the last few years and attempted to find connections with people in some of those churches. Finding a new church home was more than just finding someplace to worship on Sunday morning. They were looking for a place to build real friendships, to find those that would care for them like their church in Minnesota had. They tried small group after small group and never found that level of fellowship.
They had tried Rustic Hills for a few weeks back when they first came to Sioux Falls, and liked what they saw, but weren’t ready to settle in quite yet. They kept looking, although they maintained contact with Pastor Sandy during that time. Eventually they came back to Rustic Hills and are now getting connected.
When asked what drew them back to Rustic Hills they talk about how friendly people are, and how they felt welcomed every time they came.
“People aren’t afraid to talk to you. People invited us to dinner. Someone else invited us to one of the Game Nights.”
Keith & Roberta say, “We appreciate the worship service itself – the music leading us into worship, the prayer time, the Bible teaching and preaching. It all draws us closer to the heart of God. The message and God’s Word speak to us – encouraging, teaching and convicting us. There is always practical application to our daily lives.”
But most of all it was the people who make up Rustic Hills that have made the biggest impact on Keith & Roberta. “We found ourselves drawn back by the community of believers here who have welcomed us and included us in their lives.”
Take some time this month to say, “Hi!” to Keith & Roberta Beukelman and welcome them to Rustic Hills.