Leadership

Pastor Kirk Flaa has served as senior pastor at Abiding Savior since 2007. He is a graduate of the Association Free Lutheran Seminary and is a second career pastor, having worked 17 years previously for a wholesale tire company. Pastor Flaa came to know the Lord in 1993 and has witnessed the power of the gospel radically transform his life. He enjoys hunting, drinking coffee, spending time with his wife Gloria, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. Pastor Flaa is devoted to providing care and encouragement through the preaching & teaching of the Word of God and cherishes the joy and privilege of shepherding the congregation that the Lord has entrusted to his care.

Pastor Dave Ryerson has served as the Associate Pastor at Abiding Savior since 2021. He initially spent his working life in radio, and even had a couple of stops in Sioux Falls, with the last time being on KNWC (Life 96.5). During that time he got his Masters of Divinity from University of Northwestern St.Paul after he felt God calling him to become a pastor. Pastor Dave recently completed a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, so if you or someone you know is in need of counseling, feel free to reach out to him. When he’s not spending time with his wife Rachel, son Nick and daughter Anna, you’ll find him in the kitchen experimenting, in the gym playing racquetball, or on the couch reading Dostoyevsky. He also roasts his own coffee, so if you ever want to sit down and discuss the deeper questions of God over a fresh roasted coffee, his office is always open.  

Darin Dykstra accepted a full-time call to ministry at Abiding Savior in 2006, after serving as a bank officer the previous 18 years.  He is currently the Chief Operating Officer with oversight of all ministry operations, as well as the Superintendent of our Academy and each of its community school ministries.  As a member of Abiding Savior since 1995, Darin has had the honor of serving on the church council as both Deacon and Vice President, and the privilege of partnering with each of our three church plants, in addition to representing the congregation as a Board Member for each of our para church ministry partners throughout the years.  Darin and his wife Melissa are currently enjoying the “down-sizing” stage of life, “traveling light” now as Melissa suggests, which provides more opportunity for time with daughter Ellie and her husband Collin, and son Matt and his wife Rachel, and their three growing boys!

Merrily was born & raised in the Sioux Falls area, attending Brandon-Valley schools and earning a B.A. in English & Theatre at the University of Sioux Falls. Following her Dad's example, she began a lifetime of ministry substitute teaching in his 6th grade Sunday School class. After marrying her high school sweetheart, Brett Aljets, they moved to Vancouver, WA, where he pastored a church plant.They have two grown boys. Merrily worked many years in public relations, marketing and event planning. In ministry, she most recently directed family life ministries (birth-high school), before the family moved home to South Dakota. Merrily joined Abiding in 2022, where she finds joy in creating environments to love, serve, and teach kids & their families about Jesus the Savior. 

Matt Fjerkenstad accepted his role as Worship Director at Abiding Savior in 2026, after being a teacher for over 15 years, as well as a full-time worship pastor at another Sioux Falls church for over 5 years. Matt received Christ when he was 23 and continues to grow in his faith journey. Matt got his Bachelors in teaching from Augustana University in Sioux Falls and his Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Sioux Falls. Matt has led worship for over 20 years in many capacities, as his heart is to prepare the way for the Lord to encounter His people. Matt loves to spend time with his wife, Gretchen, and their four sons, Finn, 15, Jonas, 12, Ezra, 10, and Asher, 4. When he isn’t hanging out with his family, Matt enjoys connecting with people, being a low-key handman, and spending time at the gym. 

Kayla Brandt has served as the Business Office Administrator at Abiding Savior since 2017. She attended the University of South Dakota earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and worked for many years in leadership roles in the healthcare sector. Kayla grew up a Preacher’s Kid (Michael & Jeannie Brandt) with plenty of “head” knowledge about faith and the Bible, but came to have a personal and living “heart” faith as an adult. Since becoming a single mother, Kayla testifies boldly to God’s transformative forgiveness and grace that alone have the power to turn our ashes to gold. When not working, Kayla enjoys being a mother to Lola, and watching her grow and discover God’s plan and purpose for her life. Kayla considers it a deep privilege and honor to serve Jesus through the ministries at Abiding Savior.

Shantel has been a member of the Care Team since 2018 serving as the Care Ministry Coordinator. With a degree in psychology and after working in the social services field, Shantel was grateful to be a stay home Mom for 15 years before God authored a new chapter of joining the church staff in 2017.  She and her husband Steve have attended Abiding Savior since 2002 and all 4 of their almost all adult children were baptized, attended preschool, and confirmed here.
As part of the Care Team she knows all have experienced trials and hurt. Her direction from God is to walk along side those in need and point them to the hope of Jesus Christ! She is a daughter of the King and grateful for his Redeeming Love and His goodness all over her life!

Nacho, his wife Kaetlyn, and their two children, Camila (2) and Theo (11 months), are excited to be back at Abiding Savior. Nacho graduated from the Free Lutheran Bible College in 2019 and began his ministry as a youth leader at Abiding Savior, making this season especially meaningful for their family.
In 2020, Nacho and Kaetlyn were married and soon felt called into international missions, serving with Mission Haiti. Although their time there was cut short due to unrest, it was a season that deeply shaped their hearts for ministry and for people. Since then, Nacho has served in youth ministry at Living Word and most recently as the youth pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he has served for the past three years.
He is passionate about seeing students encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, and step into the gifts God has given them. Nacho firmly believes that youth are not just the church of the future, but the church right now. As a family, they enjoy spending time together, staying active, and building meaningful relationships.

Ever since coming to faith at a young age Karla had a desire to work in ministry. She considers it a blessing and honor to serve God through serving others at Abiding Savior. Karla started attending Abiding in 2003 and joined the church staff as receptionist in 2020. She enjoys working in a supportive role alongside our ministry teams as well as assisting our members and visitors in any way. Karla's desire is to reflect the love of Jesus to every person that walks through our doors. She enjoys playing the piano and is grateful for the opportunities to serve in music ministry with the Worship team and at Stoneybrook Assisted Living. Karla lives on a farm with her husband and two children.