American Idol

You Tube video.

We are so proud to announce that one of our worship leaders, Audri Vargas auditioned for American Idol in Dallas, TX and made it to Hollywood! Please pray that God would bless her in this journey and her future. You can visit Audri's website AudriVargas.net and follow her as she reaches out for her dream.

Retreating Confessions

Let's be straight. "Youth Retreat" doesn't exactly have twenty-somethings jumping to pack their sleeping bags and dig up sixth-grade church-camp devotionals.

But twenty-five of us secluded in a small lake town, twenty-six sleepless hours and perpetual Hillsong-singalong bon fires got me nostalgic for the days of our high school road trips and the random games, that regardless of the "cheese factor", we were actually growing closer to each other, and ultimately, Jesus. The rather remote Lake Hendricks resort had us stretching to recall the days before constant virtual...  More »

Growth Groups

Growth groups will resume the first week in October. Once a week for eight weeks, a group of friends and/or acquaintances will get together to study the book of James. Growth groups are about getting closer to Jesus + closer to one another. Our anthem for the fall!

For more info email: jdawggs316@gmail.com

Life Light

New Life service will not be held Sunday as we will be meeting at 11AM at Life Light to join churches across the city for one extraordinary service!

New Members

New Life welcomes and congratulates seven new members!

We are excited to have each and every one of you and look forward to what God will work through you as you continue to grow. We pray we can help you discover your gifts and equip you to best use them for God's glory.

Welcome!

Baptism













On father's day, three New Life members spent some special time with the Father.

Underneath a threatening, looming cloudy, stormy sky, New Life church held a baptism in Lake Alvin. Upon arrival, the rain and the weatherman threatened to postpone the baptism, or at least ensure that not many people would arrive.

Contradicting the weatherman and pleasing the church, the sky cleared (albeit temporarily) for the baptisms of Christine Asfena, Alex Chachanko, and Maisy Wiggs.

"I was really happy and excited," Maisy exclaims. "I know that it is a big step in my life, spiritually and physically."

Wearing white robes and smiles, the three of them waded into the water and answered the three infamous questions about their future lives as children of God. After being gently dunked underwater, they emerged, their white robes dripping and dragging, heavy with lake water, and still smiling nonetheless.

Afterwards, watching the three "baptizees" (those being baptized, as we call them at New Life) grin into the camera, their hair dripping and curly, I would think to myself, "What a wonderful Father's day present."

-JoAnna Halverson

June 21st- Baptism

This Sunday our service will be held at Lake Alvin @ 11AM due to baptisms!

To get to Lake Alvin head South on Highway 11
(you can take East 26th, 41st or 57th street to the Highway) until you see a sign for Lake Alvin Recreation site, there will be an arrow pointing left. Drive until you see the next sign for Lake Alvin, arrow pointing left again. Take a left and you will run into the site within a mile. It will be on your left side.

See you there :)

"U Asked For It"

The May series will be a flexible topic.

"U Asked For It" will feature free preaching, based on the choice of the church.

Any ideas for messages may be emailed to:
or you can text 605.728.9334.

Baptism March 2009

The first time I saw the baptism tub, I thought it was a bath tub.

Of course, I knew this was a ridiculous assumption. Of course I did not actually believe that people bathed at the altar, in front of the church, au naturel.

However, needless to say, I was still relieved when I would witness the infamous basin in its useful element.

On March 22nd, Pastor Alex, in his doctor's white-lab-coat robe gently dunked three new members in to the cold, yet literally and figuratively, refreshing water.

There is something unexplainable about the Spirit's presence as grown adults publicly symbolize the spiritual change inside through water baptism. The feeling was clearly collective as I noticed brightly lit smiles on the faces of the congregation as we witnessed together this monumental event in spiritual growth.

The service took care of housekeeping as we announced not only the three newly-baptized, but also officially announced eight new members and congratulated the graduation of four leaders in our most recent leadership class.

Thankfully, we still bathe in our homes.
-JoAnna Halverson

Growth Groups

Three Growth Groups will begin next week.

As a requirement for membership, these groups will promote stronger relationships between church members while simultanesouly helping new people feel more welcomed and encouraged to be a guest at New Life Church.

Zech Stake will lead a growth group on Mondays, beginning the 23rd of March. Pastor Alex and Jesse Scott will each lead a group on Thursdays, beginning the 26th of March. Each group will start @7PM.

These growth groups will replace current Friday Night Prayer groups, as well.

New Members

New Life welcomes nine new members from the latest leadership class!
We are excited to have each and every one of you and look forward to what God will work through you as you continue to grow. We pray we can help you discover
your gifts and equip
you to best use them
for God's glory. Welcome!

Service Changes New Life will be starting Sunday afternoon services at 12:30, Sunday, March 8th Thank you for being flexible!

Valentine's Day

Not a fan of Valentine's Day.

I do not particularly like chick flicks; The Notebook is not one of my favorite movies. I like pink and hearts as much as the next girl but I would not dedicate an entire day to decorate the world in them.

I think Valentine's day is just as overrated as the next guy. But this Valentine's Day was...  More »

Fighting for Christians

by Steve Young [Argus Leader]

Jerry James took a right to the chops for Jesus the other night in downtown Sioux Falls.

Clad in sweats, boxing gloves and head gear, the former standout amateur boxer stood between the ropes - and in the middle of the homily - Saturday night at New Life Church.

Religion with a punch, spectators joked from the gallery.

The bulletin handed out at the door referred to it as "Saturday Night Slam." But in fact, the Rev. Alex Klimchuk's intent in turning his altar into a boxing ring was more enticement than entertainment. ...  More »

Saturday Night Slam

by Krystle Kacner
Posted [KDLT.com] on 18 January 2009

Football games crowd stadiums, ultimate fighting championships fill every seat. A local Pastor at the New Life Church in Sioux Falls thinks they're on to something. Which is why every Saturday this month they're bringing something a little different into the church. Last week, it was Taekwondo and submission fighting, this week boxing. KDLT's Krystle Kacner heads to the ring for this report.

It is not a typical scene in a church.

Alex Klimchuck says "We're not here to promote physical fighting, we're here...  More »

Ultimate Fight Slam

Every Saturday night in January, the fights will be held in New Life Church.

Beginning January 10, the series, Ultimate Fight Slam, will run Saturdays at 7pm.

This series will feature boxing matches and tae kwon do, among other forms of entertaining, competitive brawls.

Ultimate Fight Slam will offer a chaotic, entertaining atmosphere of brutal self-defense and riotous cheers.

These fights will be legitimate, free of charge, and will feature live music.
A self-defense class will also be available for women.

Secrets from the Sunshine State

Hours after Barack Obama was announced the 44th President of the United States, nine New Life leaders left for the Sunshine state.

Walking into the house we stayed in resembled the premiere of every Real World season. The nine of us screamed and cheered as we wildly ran from room to furnished room of a gorgeously decorated house a minute's walk from the beach.

I shared a bedroom with three girls. The bed was sufficient for the three of us, and generally we did not have any spatial troubles. However, on one incident, I woke up with a neighbor a little too close for comfort. Since I am not a confrontational person, I vaguely remember...  More »

Cover Spread: Yana Sushchik

Inside a whirlwind of wedding chaos, last summer was filled with talk over Andre and Yana Sushchik. While Andre is the worship leader, it is easier to see his significance at New Life, but you may not be as familiar with Yana's position. That is, unless you have kids.

Yana Sushchik (formerly Kagadiy) started working with Sunday school when she was about 13. She immediately enjoyed working with, and teaching the kids. A few years ago, Yana was invited to New Life by a friend, an invitation that would soon extend to a call to membership.

At New Life, Yana asked to be involved in Sunday school a few years ago and became...  More »

Cover Spread: Francis John

It's a safe bet that during worship you aren't facing the back of the sanctuary.

However, part of what makes the worship team so enticing is the person who is working that switchboard in the back of the sanctuary, Francis John.

Francis, a native of Sudan, moved here some 13 years ago. He has not returned since, and would like to visit some day, to remind himself what his original environment is like.

A few years ago, Francis and buddies were bored on a Saturday night, and decided to check out New Life Youth...  More »

Cover Spread: Nikki Dirksen

The infamous artist of New Life's stages and announcements is Nikki Dirksen.

Nikki, with her 'wise-beyond-her-years' spirit. Nikki, with her comforting words, and understanding ability. Nikki, with her inside-out socks "because I don't like the way the seam in the toe feels on my feet."

For years New Life has counted on Nikki to provide graphic designs. From the perspective of her peers, she clearly has an innate talent for the arts. She would like to attend tech school for graphic design, and would enjoy running a graphic design company some day...  More »

Cover Spread: Vadim Sushchik

If you don't see Vadim Sushchik in church on Sundays, you aren't looking fast enough.

New Life's own Ol' Blue Eyes spends each Sunday service running to operate nearly every technical aspect of the service.

Vadim says he is involved in most of the work for music on Sunday. He helps prepare the soundboard before worship, and restores the stage after worship. He also helps write the music.

He is also New Life's handy technician, as he helps fix equipment when it breaks. "I do a little of both," he grins...  More »

Cover Spread: Tanya Wildeboer

You may not see Tanya Wildeboer in church every Sunday, but she is always there.

Tanya helps form and shape the foundations of children's faith at New Life. "My passion is kids."

Tanya explains the importance of faith in foundation as a youngster. "We (as adults) are already strong in faith. My passion is to help kids. Their hearts and ears are open to listen and receive what we have to offer. I want to offer them God."

Tanya explains there are two age level groups in the nursery: The "Busy Bees" are ages 3-6. The "Angels" are the infants to three years...  More »

Cover Spread: Alysha Weiler

The SF bike trails have been missing a familiar face for the past 6 mos.

Alysha Weiler spent three months in Germany and three in Nepal for missions with YWAM.

With the information from her uncle, who had worked with YWAM in Hawaii, in addition to the information from a Mission Conference in Sioux Falls, Alysha was able to find out enough for her mission work.

Originally, Alysha had been interested in counseling school, but needed to complete DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM in order to attend their counseling school...  More »

Cover Spread: Jill Scott

Jill Scott had originally attended Hillcrest Baptist, but she left for three months to "do my own thing." When Jill first attended New Life, as a guest of Masha Tsymbalist, Jill became immediately attracted to the people—then soon decided "everything" was pleasant.

What I notice most from talking to Jill is that she does not notice the changes in herself as much as her peers do.

She immediately comments on what God has worked through her life since she started making New Life church a weekly addition to her schedule. "I have quit drinking." However, Nikki Dirksen immediately has more to add...  More »

Cover Spread: Pastor Alex

He is the only man I know that could end up wearing a muddy jean t-shirt combo with protective glasses, and a three-piece suit in the same day. And it would be rational. We see him lead multiple roles; he could easily be three different people. But he is one; our Pastor, Alex Klimchuk.

Alex compares himself to David at the call of his ministry: he was unprepared, not expecting such a call on his life. "I thought I was called to be a businessman."

Pastor Alex's job can be described about as simply as quantum physics; it is far too vague to explain in a page, or even a day...  More »

New Life's upcoming series: America's Top Model

A spoof of the popular reality show judging the moves and miniscule glances of young American women, minus Tyra Banks. The twist? New Life's version will model the differences between model behaviors of the pop culture American youth, with a mix of how young people of God represent themselves in a fashionable way. The series kickoff, September 14th, will feature an exclusive makeover giveaway to one pre-registered contestant. The stage has been made over to feature a cliché runway. A weekly mini-magazine will debut, featuring a spread over a select New Life member. The judgment? ANTM fans will say OMG over America's Top Model.