Leadership

Pastor Kirk Flaa has served as senior pastor at Abiding Savior since 2007. He is a graduate of the Association Free Lutheran Seminary and is a second career pastor, having worked 17 years previously for a wholesale tire company. Pastor Flaa came to know the Lord in 1993 and has witnessed the power of the gospel radically transform his life. He enjoys hunting, drinking coffee, spending time with his wife Gloria, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. Pastor Flaa is devoted to providing care and encouragement through the preaching & teaching of the Word of God and cherishes the joy and privilege of shepherding the congregation that the Lord has entrusted to his care.

Pastor Dave Ryerson has served as the Associate Pastor at Abiding Savior since 2021. He initially spent his working life in radio, and even had a couple of stops in Sioux Falls, with the last time being on KNWC (Life 96.5). During that time he got his Masters of Divinity from University of Northwestern St.Paul after he felt God calling him to become a pastor. Pastor Dave recently completed a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, so if you or someone you know is in need of counseling, feel free to reach out to him. When he’s not spending time with his wife Rachel, son Nick and daughter Anna, you’ll find him in the kitchen experimenting, in the gym playing racquetball, or on the couch reading Dostoyevsky. He also roasts his own coffee, so if you ever want to sit down and discuss the deeper questions of God over a fresh roasted coffee, his office is always open.  

Pastor Justin has served as the Family Care Pastor at Abiding Savior since June of 2019. He earned his Master of Divinity from the Association of Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in May of 2019.  Originally from Kalispell, Montana where he had a successful career as a social worker.  He has experience working in crisis intervention, mediation, grief care, mental health, and addiction recovery. It was in a Christian Recovery group, that he found forgiveness, hope and peace with God that led him to a call to ministry. He has a heart for the lost because he knows first-hand the loneliness, hopelessness and desperation of life without a Savior.  He is married to his high school sweetheart Betsy, and they have three children, Julia, Isaiah and David.   

Darin Dykstra accepted a full-time call to ministry at Abiding Savior in 2006, after serving as a bank officer the previous 18 years.  He is currently the Chief Operating Officer with oversight of all ministry operations, as well as the Superintendent of our Academy and each of its community school ministries.  As a member of Abiding Savior since 1995, Darin has had the honor of serving on the church council as both Deacon and Vice President, and the privilege of partnering with each of our three church plants, in addition to representing the congregation as a Board Member for each of our para church ministry partners throughout the years.  Darin and his wife Melissa are currently enjoying the “down-sizing” stage of life, “traveling light” now as Melissa suggests, which provides more opportunity for time with daughter Ellie and her husband Collin, and son Matt and his wife Rachel, and their three growing boys!

Mike describes himself as a child of God, a husband of over 20 years to an amazing woman of faith (Sarah), a father of 6 active children, and one who loves variety in life!  Mike has led worship in churches in the AFLC for over 20 years.  His life mission is to shepherd hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their daily walk of faith, to guide others to live out truth in clarity within a world of confusion, and to aid in the stewardship of all that God has granted of time, talent, and treasure.  

Merrily was born & raised in the Sioux Falls area, attending Brandon-Valley schools and earning a B.A. in English & Theatre at the University of Sioux Falls. Following her Dad's example, she began a lifetime of ministry substitute teaching in his 6th grade Sunday School class. After marrying her high school sweetheart, Brett Aljets, they moved to Vancouver, WA, where he pastored a church plant.They have two grown boys. Merrily worked many years in public relations, marketing and event planning. In ministry, she most recently directed family life ministries (birth-high school), before the family moved home to South Dakota. Merrily joined Abiding in 2022, where she finds joy in creating environments to love, serve, and teach kids & their families about Jesus the Savior. 

Amy has been in her current position as Church and Community Connections Coordinator for 2.5 years, after serving as the children's ministry director for 5 years.  Amy has a passion for sharing the hope we have in the gospel of Jesus Christ not only within the walls of Abiding Savior, but also in the community of Sioux Falls.  She is greatly blessed by serving alongside others from our church at various outreach opportunities in our community.  Amy and her husband Jon have three adult children as well as a son-in-law and daughter-in-law.  In her spare time Amy loves to read, go for walks, and do all sorts of water activities at Pickerel Lake, her happy place.

Kayla Brandt has served as the Business Office Administrator at Abiding Savior since 2017. She attended the University of South Dakota earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and worked for many years in leadership roles in the healthcare sector. Kayla grew up a Preacher’s Kid (Michael & Jeannie Brandt) with plenty of “head” knowledge about faith and the Bible, but came to have a personal and living “heart” faith as an adult. Since becoming a single mother, Kayla testifies boldly to God’s transformative forgiveness and grace that alone have the power to turn our ashes to gold. When not working, Kayla enjoys being a mother to Lola, and watching her grow and discover God’s plan and purpose for her life. Kayla considers it a deep privilege and honor to serve Jesus through the ministries at Abiding Savior.

Shantel has been a member of the Care Team since 2018 serving as the Care Ministry Coordinator. With a degree in psychology and after working in the social services field, Shantel was grateful to be a stay home Mom for 15 years before God authored a new chapter of joining the church staff in 2017.  She and her husband Steve have attended Abiding Savior since 2002 and all 4 of their almost all adult children were baptized, attended preschool, and confirmed here.
As part of the Care Team she knows all have experienced trials and hurt. Her direction from God is to walk along side those in need and point them to the hope of Jesus Christ! She is a daughter of the King and grateful for his Redeeming Love and His goodness all over her life!

Jay Chapman has served in the Facility Maintenance / IT role at Abiding Savior since 2013. He started doing part-time evening custodial work, and his role has shifted as the church and school have grown. Now, he handles facility maintenance and IT for the church and school. If something needs to be fixed, Jay is the man who will figure it out and fix it! Outside of work, Jay loves to spend time with his wife, Kimberly. They enjoy the simple pleasures of life together, whether it is a walk in the evening, mochas after church, audiobooks, or board games. They are currently excitedly preparing for the arrival of their first child.

Riley Key has served as the youth director since May of 2024. He is originally from Lynn, Alabama where he came to know Christ in his early teen years. From his teenage years through young adulthood Riley has had a passion and calling for sharing the gospel.  He has spent much of his life preaching the good news and praying for those in his community. You can find Riley riding his motorcycle, or spending time with his wife Lexi and daughter Elowin. Riley loves to see the good news transform the lives of those around him. If you ever need someone to fearlessly preach the Word of God or prayer walk a neighborhood, Riley Key is your man.

Ever since coming to faith at a young age Karla had a desire to work in ministry. She considers it a blessing and honor to serve God through serving others at Abiding Savior. Karla started attending Abiding in 2003 and joined the church staff as receptionist in 2020. She enjoys working in a supportive role alongside our ministry teams as well as assisting our members and visitors in any way. Karla's desire is to reflect the love of Jesus to every person that walks through our doors. She enjoys playing the piano and is grateful for the opportunities to serve in music ministry with the Worship team and at Stoneybrook Assisted Living. Karla lives on a farm with her husband and two children.

Carol Hieb has served as Abiding’s part-time receptionist since January of 2020. She was born and raised in South Dakota but also lived and worked in Brownsville, TX for 16 years. She is a retired bookkeeper/receptionist and legal secretary. Carol and her husband of 50+ years, Ron, have attended Abiding for over 10 years. After retirement, they enjoyed full-time living in their motorhome for about six years and worked as work-campers. They had the honor and privilege, along with a few other couples, to help plant a sister church to Abiding, Shiloh FLC, in the Rapid City area. They have two children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Carol enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is very grateful for the opportunity to work with the Abiding staff and to be able to assist in any way she can with all who come and go through Abiding’s front doors. Carol loves the Lord and strives every day to be obedient to His Word in her thoughts, words and actions.