The Spirit Lake Reservation is located in eastern North Dakota, about 100 miles due west of Grand Forks and the Minnesota border. The Spirit Lake people are members of the tribal bands we commonly call “Sioux”. There are several Native American communities in this region.
The topography of the Reservation is generally consistent with the Northern Plains region, with both flat terrain and rolling hills, and some wooded areas. The Spirit Lake Tribe Reservation covers approximately 405 square miles of beautiful lands.
The Spirit Lake Nation reservation, about 495 square miles, was established in 1867. The Reservation is located in East Central North Dakota. There are approximately 7,300 enrolled members of the Spirit Lake Tribe, although only just over 2,000 live on the reservation. The Reservation’s unemployment rate is between 40-60%. The largest community on the reservation is Fort Totten.
The Spirit Lake people have had many years of exposure to the Gospel of Jesus. Among them are believers of heroic courage, determined to live for Christ and wage prayer war for their brothers and sisters. We are privileged to work in ministry partnership with several of these warriors but there is still plenty of room for ministry here.
Our partner, Pastor Larry wants to invest in your team. He wants to paint the true picture of Native culture, religious beliefs, and values. He wants to give you more tribal history and more understanding about why Natives have been so resistant to the Gospel. So come prepared to dive in, learn and invest deeply into the Spirit Lake region!
Home Visits: Get to hear people’s stories, and share your own experiences.
The church, Dakota Oyate Lutheran Church, pastored by AIM ministry partners Larry and Darla Thiele, will be mission headquarters. Food will be stored, prepared, and served out of the church kitchen. Your team will sleep on the floor of the Sunday School rooms. You will need to supply your own bedding, pillow air mattresses or cots. There are two bathrooms, each with a toilet, a sink, and a shower. Yes, it will be rustic and demand for the bathrooms will be high. It’s a mission trip-keep your focus on Jesus and what He wants of you there, not on the inconveniences you’ll face for one week.
The church has a full kitchen with anything you might need. Meals are very much a team effort, and we have a lot of fun in the process! Teams will participate in meal prep and serving. Breakfast will be self-serve. Lunch will be packed sandwiches, fruit and a side that can be taken to a ministry site. Hot dinners will typically be served after ministry and prepared by your team. Food is prepared and served in the church.
You will need to provide your own transportation during the duration of your stay. Most groups fly or drive in and then obtain a rental vehicle if needed. If you are flying in, you’ll want to check out Fargo Airport, Grand Forks Airport, or Bismarck Airport. Please reserve rental vehicles in advance. Upon arrival, drive to the church in Sheyenne, North Dakota, on the reservation. Your group will use your vehicles for team movement throughout the mission.
The safety of our participants is a top priority for us. We have both an internal Risk Management team and external Risk Management consultants. We use a multi-pronged approach to risk management – including monitoring information from reporting agencies and relying on the knowledge of our ministry partners. In addition to our own protocols (e.g., students must be with an adult at all times), our ministry hosts and partners will provide trip specific safety guidelines for the particular trip location. Our Project Leaders are trained in risk management and have access to both on-field and home-office support.
$500 Deposit: This deposit is required to reserve your trip. At this point, you will lock in your trip and we will keep in touch with you going forward about preparation. This deposit is applied to the total cost of your trip.
50% Payment: Half of your total trip cost will need to be paid 3 months before your trip.
100% Payment: The remaining balance is due 2 months before your trip.
An adult Project Leader will be assigned to your team throughout the duration of your trip. They will stay with you and your team, as well as engage daily with you throughout ministry and daily life activities. This leader will have strong missions experience, leadership experience and a demonstrated competence in the area of discipleship of youth and young adults. In most cases, your project leader will help with facilitating ministry, meals and daily debrief and devotional time. Your Project Leader will be assigned to your trip and you’ll have the opportunity to have conversations with them during the weeks leading up to your trip.
See all of the mission trip options for our New Mexico trips.
Month | Start | End | Type | Destination | Cost Options | March | 2024-03-02 | 2024-03-08 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | March | 2024-03-09 | 2024-03-15 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | March | 2024-03-16 | 2024-03-22 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | March | 2024-03-23 | 2024-03-29 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | March | 2024-03-30 | 2024-04-05 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | April | 2024-04-06 | 2024-04-12 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | April | 2024-04-13 | 2024-04-19 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | April | 2024-04-20 | 2024-04-26 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | April | 2024-04-27 | 2024-05-03 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | May | 2024-05-04 | 2024-05-10 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | May | 2024-05-11 | 2024-05-17 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | May | 2024-05-18 | 2024-05-24 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | May | 2024-05-25 | 2024-05-31 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | June | 2024-06-01 | 2024-06-07 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | June | 2024-06-08 | 2024-06-14 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | June | 2024-06-15 | 2024-06-21 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | June | 2024-06-22 | 2024-06-28 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | June | 2024-06-29 | 2024-07-05 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | July | 2024-07-06 | 2024-07-12 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | July | 2024-07-13 | 2024-07-19 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | July | 2024-07-20 | 2024-07-26 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | July | 2024-07-27 | 2024-08-02 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | August | 2024-08-03 | 2024-08-09 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | August | 2024-08-10 | 2024-08-16 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | August | 2024-08-17 | 2024-08-23 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info | August | 2024-08-24 | 2024-08-30 | High School, Youth Groups, Group Trips – Families | Spirit Lake, North Dakota | $495 7 Day/PP Request Info |
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