Our Mission
Equipping Churches. Multiplying Impact.
NPEA exists to equip leaders and launch churches that multiply disciples, churches, and planters across the Northern Plains and beyond.
Multiplying Disciples:
Every church we plant is committed to making disciples as its core mission, just as Jesus commanded.
Multiplying Churches:
We encourage every new church to help plant another within its first 3–5 years, multiplying gospel impact.
Multiplying Planters:
We believe in raising up leaders from within. Our churches are expected to reproduce church planters through residencies and mentorship.
A Legacy of Church Planting in the Northern Plains
NPEA began in 1986 as Dakota Christian Ministries, following the closure of Dakota Bible College in Huron, SD. The organization was created to carry on a vital mission: planting churches in the Dakotas and raising up ministry leaders from within the region. Gerry Sappington served as the founding director, helping lay the foundation for this new mission effort.
By 1999, this vision expanded with a new name—Northern Plains Evangelistic Association (NPEA)—and a broader calling. Over time, NPEA partnered with church plants not only in the Dakotas, but in Wyoming, Iowa, Montana, Idaho, Illinois, Nebraska, and even Manitoba, Canada. In 2000, leadership transitioned to Mike Sojka, who helped guide the growing ministry into a new era of partnership and expansion.
In 2001, NPEA merged with the Wyoming Evangelistic Association. Since then, we’ve supported over a dozen church plants and ministry works, celebrating new communities, baptisms, and gospel movement across the region. In 2004, NPEA’s reach officially expanded to include Manitoba, Canada, supporting cross-border planting partnerships.
Today, we remain committed to that same mission: planting gospel-centered churches, multiplying disciples, and equipping leaders in rural and underserved communities.
Where We’ve Planted
For 26+ and counting, NPEA has planted, helped plant and supported churches across the Northern Plains and beyond. These church plants represent lives changed, communities reached, and faithful leaders sent to preach the Gospel in cities and towns across North America.
2022 – Mountain View – Creston, MT
2022 – The Story – Johnstown, CO
2019 – Pursuit – Bozeman, MT
2018 – Forge – Hastings, NE
2017 – Rally Point – Sioux City, IA
2015 – Real Life – Sheridan, WY
2013 – Quest – Arlington Heights, IL
2012 – Revive – Bismark, ND
2011 – Gateway Community – Mountain View, WY
2008 – Canyon Ridge – Boise, ID
2008 – White Water – Laramie, WY
2004 – North Point – Spearfish, SD
2022 – Mountain View – Creston, MT
2022 – The Story – Johnstown, CO
2019 – Pursuit – Bozeman, MT
2018 – Forge – Hastings, NE
2017 – Rally Point – Sioux City, IA
2015 – Real Life – Sheridan, WY
2013 – Quest – Arlington Heights, IL
2012 – Revive – Bismark, ND
2011 – Gateway Community – Mountain View, WY
2008 – Canyon Ridge – Boise, ID
2008 – White Water – Laramie, WY
2004 – North Point – Spearfish, SD
Have questions about our history or how we support new works today? Contact us to start a conversation or explore how you can get involved in the mission.
Our board is made up of faithful leaders from across the Northern Plains.
NPEA’s leadership is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors made up of pastors, church planters, and lay leaders from across the Dakotas, Wyoming, and beyond. Together, they help steward our vision, offer accountability, and ensure every ministry decision reflects our commitment to multiplying disciples, churches, and planters. These individuals bring a wide range of ministry experience and a shared passion for church planting. Their faithful service helps us stay grounded in both strategy and Spirit as we move forward in the mission.
Warren Steele
Spearfish, SD
As a young teen, Warren was part of a church plant in Billings, Montana. Years later, God placed the idea of planting a church in Douglas, Wyoming, on his heart. Warren and his family now serve as ministers at Outpost Christian Church. The idea of an Acts-based Church is one I have always thought emanated God’s true intentions for a church.
As a young teen, Warren was part of a church plant in Billings, Montana. Years later, God placed the idea of planting a church in Douglas, Wyoming, on his heart. Warren and his family now serve as ministers at Outpost Christian Church. The idea of an Acts-based Church is one I have always thought emanated God’s true intentions for a church.
Sean Sailor
Spearfish, SD
I joined North Point Christian Church in the fall of 2012 when they were meeting in a high school and I immediately noticed there was something different from the church we came from. There was an energy and intentionality to reach new believers and packing up everything every week was a reminder how much we need God to provide and to stay on His mission. Planting churches is incredibly difficult work and I want to be a part of supporting those that plant and I love the mission that NPEA has. Supporting the planters, their families, and training future planters.
I joined North Point Christian Church in the fall of 2012 when they were meeting in a high school and I immediately noticed there was something different from the church we came from. There was an energy and intentionality to reach new believers and packing up everything every week was a reminder how much we need God to provide and to stay on His mission. Planting churches is incredibly difficult work and I want to be a part of supporting those that plant and I love the mission that NPEA has. Supporting the planters, their families, and training future planters.
Larry Berlin
Casper, WY
It is very exciting to be a part of the NPEA church planting team. Over the years we have been blessed with great success. God is definitely working through the NPEA to impact our region and country for the Kingdom of God. We can only imagine the number of church plants and their locations that God has planned for the future; we only know that, as an organization, we want to be a part of it.
It is very exciting to be a part of the NPEA church planting team. Over the years we have been blessed with great success. God is definitely working through the NPEA to impact our region and country for the Kingdom of God. We can only imagine the number of church plants and their locations that God has planned for the future; we only know that, as an organization, we want to be a part of it.
Craig Fausett
Highmore, SD
I always planned on doing something in ministry for the Kingdom when I retired, and NPEA is a perfect way to spread the Good News to those who need to hear His message, and make a difference close to home.
I always planned on doing something in ministry for the Kingdom when I retired, and NPEA is a perfect way to spread the Good News to those who need to hear His message, and make a difference close to home.
Larry Andrews
Spearfish, SD
There has been no greater satisfaction in my life than church planting. NPEA only does one thing…they plant churches, and they plant them well. Having been on the field with an actual NPEA church plant at Whitewater Christian Church I have watched over 60 people get baptized and hundreds move closer than ever to Jesus. That was made possible because of God using NPEA!
There has been no greater satisfaction in my life than church planting. NPEA only does one thing…they plant churches, and they plant them well. Having been on the field with an actual NPEA church plant at Whitewater Christian Church I have watched over 60 people get baptized and hundreds move closer than ever to Jesus. That was made possible because of God using NPEA!
Matt Branum
Spearfish, SD
In 2004, Becky and I were blessed to plant NPEA’s first church plant, North Point Christian Church in Spearfish, SD. Our commitment to church planting (and those who undertake that great mission) is fueled by a passion for Christ and his commission to Share the Gospel and Make Disciples. It is a joy to serve on the board of NPEA as we continue to grow our effectiveness of planting churches and developing leaders within the Northern Plains region.
In 2004, Becky and I were blessed to plant NPEA’s first church plant, North Point Christian Church in Spearfish, SD. Our commitment to church planting (and those who undertake that great mission) is fueled by a passion for Christ and his commission to Share the Gospel and Make Disciples. It is a joy to serve on the board of NPEA as we continue to grow our effectiveness of planting churches and developing leaders within the Northern Plains region.
Stay up to date with our work and ministry stories.
Our newsletters offer a behind-the-scenes look at how God is working through NPEA. Inside, you’ll find updates from church plants, stories of transformed lives, leadership transitions, prayer needs, financial summaries, and vision-casting for the months ahead.
Read Our Latest Newsletter – Quarterly updates, encouragement, and vision.
These publications are more than just updates—they’re a record of faithfulness. Whether you’re a donor, church partner, or just learning about NPEA for the first time, we invite you to explore the story God is writing across the Northern Plains.
Life in Ministry Together
These photos offer a glimpse into the life and mission of NPEA—from worship and fellowship at our annual conferences to church planting efforts and community gatherings across the region. Each image tells part of the story God is writing through His people in the Northern Plains.
About This Ministry
NPEA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in the Christian Church Restoration Movement. We’re passionate about seeing the gospel take root in rural and small-town communities across the Northern Plains.
At NPEA, we believe in stewarding resources with integrity and clarity. Our Annual Reports, available upon request, provide a clear picture of how your support is invested in church planting, leadership development, and ministry growth across the Northern Plains and beyond.
If you’d like to partner with us—whether by planting, praying, or providing—get in touch today.