By David Farlow

Wounded Knee, SD—A new family life center was dedicated on Sunday, August 24, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The new facility, located on the Church of God grounds, will provide a gathering place for ministry, community events, and other services for the Wounded Knee community.

“Nothing new has been built in the community for the last several years,” said Stanley Hollow Horn, pastor of the Wounded Knee Church of God. “Our center is something new that can help meet the needs of our people while reaching them for Christ.”

The family life center was the vision of Stanley’s wife and partner in ministry, Sylvia Hollow Horn, who wanted a facility to make a difference is the lives of those living on the reservation. In 2005, a work group from North Anderson Church of God began construction of the 2,400-square-foot building. Over the subsequent years, dozens of church groups from across the country caught the vision as well, donating their time and money to make the vision a reality.

The dedication ceremony was attended by more than eighty people, many from the local community. But others came from as far away as California, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana to join in the celebration. Leaders from the Partners in Ministry were in attendance as well. Following a biblical example from the Old Testament, Rev. Abe Casiano, from the Hispanic Council, and Rev. Charles Myricks, representing the National Association of the Church of God, anointed the doorposts with oil as part of the dedication ceremony lead by Dr. Ronald Duncan, from Church of God Ministries.

Speaking on the impact the new facility will have on the community, Sam Johnson, First Chief of the AIC said, “It will become a lighthouse for the Wounded Knee community and Pine Ridge Reservation. It will draw people into a place where Stanley Hollow Horn can serve them and spread the love of Christ.”

“This facility would never have been completed without the generous donations from individuals and congregations from across the church,” said Jim Snyder, who coordinated the building project. “While the immediate construction is complete, the building will never be finished until God sends the last person here that needs to be touched.”

To learn more about the ministry at Wound Knee and how you can help, contact Rev. Obadiah Smith at OSmith@chog.org or 800-848-2464.