Riva Sharples | Editor
Set Free Church in Beresford, located in the old bowling alley on Main Street, has closed.
Church members held a final service in the facility last Saturday, May 31. Former church members, current members, and founding Pastor Mike Lindsay and his wife Ruth came together for the final service and a celebration that followed.
Many tears were shed, but there was laughter too as current and former members shared memories, talked about lives changed, and reminisced about all the good done by the church during its more than 15 years of existence in Beresford.
Pastor Mike Lindsay and his wife, Ruth, started Set Free Church, the church in the old bowling alley facility on Third Street, in 2010. The Lindsays were also pastoring Bethel Baptist Church in Wakonda at the time and aimed to start a church in Beresford that would appeal to the unchurched and a population of people on the margins of mainstream society. In that way, Set Free was unique, reaching a population of people not always comfortable in a traditional church setting. The church met on Saturday nights, followed by a meal, Bible Study, and lots of fellowship. It was not uncommon for parishioners to stay at the church late into the night, as late as 11 p.m. or midnight sometimes, involved in fellowship and discussion.
Shortly after the church was established, Set Free started a food giveaway program that soon became a weekly occurrence. Eventually, they partnered with Feeding South Dakota to bring large amounts of food to people in Beresford.
The program fed many people through the years, supplying thousands of pounds of food to individuals and families in and around the Beresford area on a weekly basis from the early 2010s until this past fall, when the program at Set Free was ended and a group of volunteers moved the Feeding South Dakota program to a monthly giveaway held in the parking lot of Zion Methodist Church. During the covid years at Set Free, the church went to a drive-through program and even built an awning to aid in food delivery. It was not uncommon to serve 250-350 families each week in the drive-through. An army of volunteers helped during all those years, making Thursdays a happening place at Set Free
Other ministries that were run by Set Free through the years included health and beauty services in a salon and spa built inside the church building. Free haircuts, pedicures, and health screenings were offered by various volunteers at Set Free for many years.
Set Free was also instrumental in keeping the Civic Center thrift store open. The church took over operation of the thrift store about a decade ago when former Beresford mayor Arno Bell handed it over to them. Last fall, when Set Free stopped hosting its food giveaway, it also made the Civic Center a separate entity. As such, the Civic Center will continue on in Beresford, carrying on its mission to provide used clothing and household items at low prices to the public.
Mike Lindsay led Set Free until 2022 when current Pastor David Lindsay, his son, took over operation of the church. Pastor David Lindsay explains the decision to close the church has been a long time in the making. It has been something he has prayed about extensively, and as the possibility of closure has loomed, he sought counsel from fellow pastors. The church leadership wrestled with the issue as well.
The first step in closure happened at the beginning of May when Pastor David Lindsay told the congregation that he would be stepping down from leadership at Set Free, effective May 31. He then asked church members and the church leadership how they would like to move forward with the church. Though the congregation initially voted to keep the church open, it soon became clear to church leadership that financially and logistically, it would not be possible to keep Set Free in operation without a pastor and with its current small congregation.
“Through this process of discussing the fate of the church, a strong sense of unity and clarity settled on us,” said Lindsay, speaking to the congregation on May 24 after leadership determined closure was necessary. “… We believe that God is gently and lovingly leading us to bring Set Free Church to a close. … We all longed to press on, but as we stepped back to consider the broader picture, it became clear that continuing in the same way would not be wise or sustainable in the long term. This decision came with tears, thoughtful prayer, deep love, and peace. We are convinced that God is guiding us in this.”
Lindsay went on to encourage the congregation.
“God’s work doesn’t end here,” he said. “The love we have shared, the prayers we’ve lifted, the lives touched and transformed, none of that is lost. Remember, nothing offered to God in faith is ever wasted. He treasures it all and will continue to use it in ways we may not yet see.”
There is much to be celebrated in Set Free’s story, Lindsay reminded the congregation. The church celebrated baptisms, weddings, graduations, and baby dedications. It was the site of several funeral services and receptions. It has touched and changed the lives of many and will always hold a special place in the hearts of congregants and those who passed through the doors of the church. Once a Set Freer, always a Set Freer, said Lindsay.
“Yes, there’s sorrow and sadness, but there is also profound joy: joy in what God has done among us, joy in the relationships that have been built, in the grace we’ve experienced together, and in the hope of what’s still to come,” he said. “God has been faithful in every season. … As Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6, ‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ That promise fills me with hope, and I pray it also brings you peace and strength.”
What will happen to the Set Free Church building and its possessions is not yet clear. Leadership has several options, including the church being given to the Southern Baptist Association to use as they will, or they may gift the church facility to a local church or organization that would continue missionary work in the building in Beresford.
As for Pastor David’s plans now, he is waiting to see where God leads him. He and his wife Daisy and children Sam and Josiah are considering a move, but they will ultimately leave it in God’s hands.