ABOUT US
Sioux Empire Chaplain Corps (SECC) was formed to provide chaplain services, both personal and professional, to all public safety personnel and their families within the Sioux Empire. The Sioux Empire Chaplain Corps provides 24-hour/365 day response and assistance to the Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office and Metro Communications Agency (911) personnel, as well as, the citizens of the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha communities and their visitors.
It is our mission, while in contact with the community, to care for the troubled and those who have endured loss, been victimized by the events and tragedy that have left them abandoned, helpless and without hope.
Sioux Empire Public Safety Chaplains administer support, guidance, counseling, consultation, and other forms of human crisis intervention to public safety personnel, their families, and traumatized individuals of the community when needed or upon request. Sioux Empire Corps chaplains are trained and experienced in the methods of response, intervention and support and are skilled in ministering to people, regardless of their religious beliefs. Each chaplain is led by his or her own faith and is ready to serve and be a source of strength to those in need.
Chaplains of all faiths work with law enforcement and first responder personnel on a professional level by making themselves immediately available as trained and caring professionals who can assist in times of loss, confusion, depression, or grief to people in crisis situations. The Chaplains provide this service not only to the community, but also to all department employees and their families as well.
Sioux Empire Chaplain Corps is a volunteer program and provides confidential, personal, emotional, and spiritual support, counselling and or encouragement to members of the department and their immediate family. Response to first responders in crisis in the ultimate calling of the Chaplain program.
SECC is not a church; it is a service organization. SECC is not in the business of seeking converts to any particular church group or denomination. SECC is non-denominational in emphasis, providing unrestricted service regardless of personal faith or beliefs. The Chaplain Corps offers this care to all regardless of race, creed, sex, or religion. It is a ministry of service.
LEAD CHAPLAIN
Tom Y.
I began serving as chaplain in 2016 when the Sioux Empire Chaplains Corps was founded. As a pastor who comes from a law enforcement family, I consider it a great honor to serve the spiritual needs of the officers, dispatchers and the community that I care about so deeply. I currently serve on the SECC board as the president.
LEAD CHAPLAIN
Gary W.
I have been a chaplain since 2017. It is a pleasure to work with and serve our law enforcement, in this great city of Sioux Falls, SD. They are the ones that make the city great. I enjoy doing ride-alongs with the officers, so that I can get to know them and they can get to know me. It is good to see what their jobs entail each day. As chaplains we want them to know and see that there are people here that care for them. It makes me proud, also, that my youngest son serves on the Sioux Falls Police Department. It is a blessing to serve those who serve our community. I currently serve on the SECC board as the vice president.
LEAD CHAPLAIN
Quentin B.
My name is Quentin. I have been the Lead Pastor of Sioux Falls First church for 12 1/2 years. I am married to Anna. She is a licensed professional counselor with her own practice, Abide Counseling Services. We have two sons, Hunter (24) and Tanner (21). I am a St. Louis Cardinals fan and die-hard Chicago Bears fan. It is an honor to serve as a chaplain for SFPD and the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. I currently serve on the SECC board as the Sgt at Arms.
LEAD CHAPLAIN
Sarah T.
I have been serving as a chaplain since 2021. I saw police chaplaincy as a way to serve both God and my community. I enjoy being able to help law enforcement and the public through difficult and trying times. I have lived in the Sioux Falls area since 1988. I'm proud to have raised four children in this community.
CHAPLAIN
James R.
Since 2019, I have been privileged to serve as a Chaplain. During this period, I have spent time with some of the greatest Law Enforcement personnel anywhere. Supporting them, encouraging them, sharing with them, and listening to them share is what all of us Chaplains strive to do in our time here. During the highs and the lows of life, the Sioux Falls Chaplain Corp is honored to walk alongside those who do so much.
CHAPLAIN
Otto G.
I have been a law enforcement chaplain for about 6 years. I wanted to be a chaplain because, as a local pastor, I wanted to get involved and serve our local law enforcement and community. I also am an active Hispanic pastor and a city ambassador with Sioux Falls PD. I enjoy helping families and do fee wedding/marriages as a community service. In the last two years, I have been interpreting for the PBS state channel to interpret for the South Dakota Governor and Senators. I was born in Guatemala and my wife is from Honduras. Together we have 3 children. I pastor at The Point is to Serve Hispanic Ministry.
CHAPLAIN
Jason R.
Hello, my name is Jason, I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I have been married for 21 years with 3 children, moving to Sioux Falls from Houston, Texas in 2021. It is my heart serving with the Sioux Empire Chaplain Corp that we are there together with you, our brothers and sisters, in love, in joy, and during sorrow. Love will testify you are not alone, when words are not enough.
CHAPLAIN
Ryan R.
My name is Ryan R. I was born and raised in Sioux Falls. I am a Business Sales Representative at Verizon Wireless. My wife Elisha and I are the proud parents of two daughters ages 13 and 22. Most of my family resides in the Sioux Falls area.
I have been actively pursuing my faith for 10 years and am passionate about seeing it change people's lives for the better. I attend church at Sioux Falls First serving as both a head usher and a member of the security team. I am honored to serve both law enforcement and the members of our great community.
CHAPLAIN
Alem D.
Hello, my name is Alem. I am a resident of this beautiful city, Sioux Falls. It is now 15 years since I moved to Sioux Falls and living with my wife and our three boys. A year ago, I came to know about and recommended to be part of the Sioux Empire Chaplains by a friend. While taking time and praying about it, I had an opportunity to serve for a year and half at a Grand Jury and better understood the service of the law enforcement to our community. Considering all these were God’s plan, I made a decision to join the SECC and serving as His vessel since February this year. It is a privilege to serve the officers, dispatchers and the community at large.
CHAPLAIN
Johnny R.
I have been a chaplain for just over a year. Growing up in the inner city of Indianapolis, i saw how important the role of law enforcement was in the community. As a mental health therapist my heart is to provide a presence to others experiencing pain.
CHAPLAIN
Rick F.
Hello, my name is Rick. I have been a SFPD/MCSO Chaplain for a little over 7 years. I love being a part of this ministry because of my enduring love and appreciation for the men and women of law enforcement. I want you to know that I'm here for you without any reservations. What happens between us stays with me. I've made many contacts and friends since I've been a part of this. I have also served as a Police Reserve officer for 6 years back in the late 80s-90s. I served as a Navy Corpsman for 4 years. I'm married, my wife Lynne and I have 2 adult children Ben and Elizabeth. My son Ben is a SFPD officer. It's been a unique and fun opportunity to ride with him and see how he's grown as a man. I look forward to getting to know more of you. I hope to be a blessing and never a distraction. May the Lord bless, protect and watch over you all.
CHAPLAIN
Dave J.
I have been a law enforcement chaplain for 9 years. It has been in my family to help others and have a calling to ministry. My wife and I started a ministry- Chaplains International as Chaplain Instructors. We train church security, fire, police and EMS. I am ordained and licensed.
BOARD MEMBER
Jesseca M.
Although not a Chaplain, I am very appreciative and humbled by the passion, commitment and the work each of the Sioux Empire Chaplains dedicates to this program. As a member of public safety, I have experienced first hand that the need for a strong support system is paramount and the Chaplains play one piece of that large support system. I am grateful to be included in this group as a Board Member in the Secretary Role.
CHAPLAIN
TJ G.
I’m TJ and I’ve been a police chaplain for about 4 ½ years! I’ve been honored to be on the team and have enjoyed being able to help with some very tough situations for families around the area. I own and operate a tree service in the Sioux Empire area. My wonderful wife of 15 years and I homeschool our 9 children (soon to be 10). We live in Tea and enjoy spending time watching our kids in almost every sport there is!
CHAPLAIN
Juan V.
Hello my name is Juan and I've been serving as a Chaplain for over 2 years now. I was born in Iowa to Hispanic parents and then we moved to Mexico in my early childhood. then I eventually came back to the Midwest! While I came from an unchurched family, God spoke to my heart and in my late 20s and I realized I needed him in my life. That's when I surrendered to his will. Since then I've been serving alongside my wife of 19 years at East Side Baptist Church in many areas over the years. I am now leading the college and career Ministry and head the security team for EBC. Through my growth as a Christian I've learned to love and respect those who stand for truth and good and that includes soldiers and law enforcement. This is why I feel privileged to help in any way. I have three children. As a father I feel the responsibility to lead by example and I can't think of a better quality to instill in them than love and respect for our law enforcement. Perhaps even Inspire them from their example, and they one day will stand for those things that really matter in life. To all law enforcement, thank you for what you do!
CHAPLAIN
CHAPLAIN
CHAPLAIN
Bjorn L.
I have been a pastor in Sioux Falls since 1997. I joined the Chaplain corps as a form of community service outside the church walls….Sioux Falls and the surrounding community is a safe haven because of its great law enforcement and first responders. I am honored with God’s help to aid them to be a force for peace and justice in these interesting times! Shalom!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SIOUX EMPIRE CHAPLAIN CORPS
The Sioux Empire Chaplain Corps meet monthly for training. If you are interested in learning more about the program, we would love for you to join us at a meeting.