Blessings from the Spirit Lake Ministry Center located on the Spirit Lake Nation Reservation in North Dakota. The Spirit Lake Ministry Center is dedicated to supporting the peoples of the Spirit Lake Nation and is an approved United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) destination.

Children's activities at Spirit Lake Ministry Center. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

The Spirit Lake Ministry Center hosts volunteer teams from all over the country every year. The volunteer work crews serve people of the Spirit Lake Nation in many ways throughout the warmer months. Each summer and fall, volunteers donate time and resources to Shoebox Christmas. Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates distribution of Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across the reservations of North Dakota, South Dakota and into Minnnesota.  Residents of the Spirit Lake Nation also worship together on-site at "The Journey", a United Methodist congregation begun by former directors, Pastor Mike and LIbby Flowers. See more information on each ministry below.

Shoebox Christmas Project

What is in a Shoebox Christmas gift? To start, wrap the bottom and top of a shoebox separately with Christmas gift wrapping paper.  Add items that you purchased into the box. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, ask them what they would like for Christmas. Add that, a few more smaller gifts, some candy, a winter hat, mittens or gloves, place a rubber band around the box and then the top. Label the box with the age group and gender of the child on top of the box. Use the following age groups when you create your label:  infant, toddler, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13 and up. Please only add new toys and please do not put any clothing except the hats, gloves or mittens in the boxes.
Watch for announcements about this year's Shoebox Christmas in This Week @ Dakotas.

The Journey Congregation

Spirit Lake Ministry Center is also home to the Journey Congregation, worshipping every Sunday evening and reaching out to serve the people of Spirit Lake Nation. One woman said during the time of worship, “I have a joy to share. I am happy that I can come to a church where I can be Indian and Christian too.” The Journey, at Sheyenne, North Dakota is reaching out to Native American families across the Spirit Lake Nation. Worship is held Sunday evenings at 5 p.m., with an average attendance of 45. For a news story about the Journey, click here.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Spirit Lake Ministry Center hosts volunteer teams from all over the country every year. These Volunteer in Mission (VIM) Teams will be asked to perform light construction and maintenance on homes, Tribal buildings and grounds on the reservation and to provide team members for children's activities.  All activities are very hands-on and involve close interaction with the elders and children of the reservation.

Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across the reservations of North Dakota, South Dakota and into Minnnesota.

Learn more about Spirit Lake Ministry Center. 

Contact information: Kim and Paulette Paulson, Spirit Lake Ministry Center, 3365 81st Ave NE, Sheyenne ND 58374, e-mail, website, Facebook page or contact the Dakotas Conference Office at 605-996-6552. 

The Journey at Spirit Lake from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.

The Journey at Spirit Lake