WE PROUDLY PRESENT - The RecCenter Video! In just three and a half minutes you can get a short history tour of our ministry as well as an idea of what we actually do and stand for. You can also find the video on youtube. Please check it out, and for more information read "The Story Of How It All Began" below.
The story of how it all began...
Tim & Elaine Harris arrived at the Pine Ridge Reservation in July 1995. Coming here straight from Florida, back at that time they knew no one and had no idea how to begin a ministry on the reservation. Tim would drive HWY 18 on a daily basis, praying and reaching out to those the Lord put in his path. On his way he would also pass a particularly large, empty parcel of land in Oglala, SD. This piece of land was just across the street form the main housing area.
In November 1996 the Holy Spirit moved Tim's heart to search out the owner of the property. After meeting with Levi Wounded's cousin, Barbara Dull Knife, they located the owner in Rushville NE and were able to purchase 7 of the 73 acres which now sits between two major housing areas in Oglala. The Harris' had a vision of something more than just another "church" in the neighborhood; their vision was of a building and ministry that would benefit and reach out to the whole community every day.
Finally the vision took shape and the building process began. Missionary and friend Mel Ericson was of great help in gathering work teams from all over the nation to do volunteer labor. By that time, a small church family had already been born and they spent many hours getting the rough land ready for a building. MANY gave materials and time in order to see the vision become reality. In August of '97 the construction of an 8,000 square foot facility was on the way. The dream was to build a gymnasium with a kitchen area, fellowship area, bathrooms with showers, classroom space, and a 1,000 square foot apartment; a multifunctional facility. The building was completed in March of 1998 and is known today as the "Oglala Re*Creation and Worship Center". It serves the community in whatever way needed. The main purpose is being a "Light in the darkness", a safe place for the kids.
Since then, through the tireless effort and sacrificial giving of the Colorado Community Church, under the leadership of Paul Brennan and others, we have added a 6,000 square foot multipurpose gym to the existing building. The new building serves as the Rec for our various daily activities (see link "Ministries") and the old gym has just been renovated to serve as a sanctuary, kids church, fellowship hall and bunk house.
We know that " WITHOUT A VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH" (Proverbs 29:18). Thank God for the vision he gave Tim and Elaine Harris as they faithfully and under great personal sacrifice sought the will of God for the Lakota people in Oglala, SD!
