ATLAS of Sioux Falls

2701 S. Minnesota Ave.
Suite 3
Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Telephone: (605) 977-0760
Fax: (605) 977-0762
justin@atlasofsiouxfalls.com

Justin Vandewater

Justin Vandewater:

Director

Hi, I'm Justin Vandewater and this is my family: Wife-Jaymi, Grace (5), Lainey (3) and Joah (1). We recently moved to Sioux Falls from Iowa in May of '07 and are very excited to be a part of this community. I have been blessed to be a part of the ATLAS organization since '04, serving as the director here in Sioux Falls since September of '06. First a little bad news: I've really struggled through seasons in my life with pride, mistaken identity, cynicism, religiosity, lust, arrogance, lack of focus, jealousy, bitterness, and lack of purpose. As over-arching themes winding through each of these seasons and gripping my heart for many years were small little lies I was believing (maybe you can relate!): "what job you have, what car you drive, what house you own, what clothes you wear define who you are," "money will fulfill you," "your job will fulfill you," "you need to please people," "you're better than that person," "you're too good for that job," "it's all about you and your comfort," "you deserve recognition," "you can't give that much," "you're right, they're wrong," "one look won't hurt," "You're entitled to that," "Just work harder." These lies were so subtle that even though I loved God and would profess Him as my Lord and Savior in my heart, my mind was being swayed and I would look to Him primarily for personal fulfillment. For most of my life I have had a very self-centered relationship with Jesus Christ. My prayers focused on my own needs, blessings and happiness. How can God make my life more comfortable? I wanted to use God for my purposes.

The Good News!: by God's design, mercy and love I have had several men leave a distinct mark on my life through each of these seasons and replace some of the deception I had built my life around with the solid rock of Truth. Scripture says, "do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." My heart shifted from wanting to use God for my purposes to wanting to be used by God for His purposes. Without the Godly influence and intentional discipleship of these people I know I would not be where I am at today. God has used these relationships to shape my passion for ATLAS and helping others Attain Truth, Love And Self-control in their lives as well. How many of us are searching the scriptures for this voice of truth and becoming un-conformed to this world? How many of us have people in our lives that are mature enough in Christ to be the voice of Truth when we need it? How many of us as Christians recognize the great need of our day for discipleship and intentional relationships based on giving and receiving Truth? Here are some Biblical truths that have begun to replace the little lies I use to believe and are making a big difference in my life and relationship with my heavenly father. Claim these truths in your own life and find one other person to disciple and reproduce the fullness of Christ them...we were born to reproduce!

I am a child of God; I am Christ's friend; I have been justified; I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit; I have been bought with a price and I belong to God; I am a member of Christ's Body; I have been adopted as God's child; I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit; I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins; I am complete in Christ; I am free forever from condemnation; I am assured that all things work together for good; I cannot be separated from the love of God; I have been established, anointed and sealed by God; I am hidden with Christ in God; I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected; I am a citizen of Heaven; I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind; I can find grace and mercy in time of need; I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me; I am the salt and light of the earth; I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life; I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit; I am a personal witness of Christ's; I am God's temple; I am a minister if reconciliation; I am God's coworker; I am seated with Christ in the Heavenly realms; I am God's workmanship; I may approach God with freedom and confidence; I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Brian Rand

Brian Rand:

Staff Mentor

Hello, my name is Brian Rand, I am the new Staff Mentor for ATLAS of Sioux Falls. I will be working along side Justin Vandewater at our office here in Sioux Falls, trying to connect the hurting with those who have the truth and life-giving power of Christ. It is an honor for me to be in this office, the path for me to get here has been long and adventure-filled.

I grew up in a rough home with a lot of drugs and alcohol. I started selling drugs young and at 19 my life came to a screeching halt. I was arrested, lost everything, and was on my way to prison. Then a few guys reached out their hands and they taught me how to learn, how to live, and most of all, how to love. I then asked them what I could do to pay it back and they asked me to give it away to the next guy that needs it. I live my life to give back the love and redemption Christ gave me through these friends.

The city of Sioux Falls is full of people who feel the same way I did, and have the idea that "this life is too hard, God can't be real." As I was writing this a friend of mine contacted me to say, "I want to run away and die, I don't feel like living, I do not even believe in God anymore, sorry for wasting your time Brian." This is not a very far-fetched story. More than likely you can find someone in your neighborhood, work, or school feeling the same way. Our desire at ATLAS is to find these people, walk with them through their crisis and hopefully introduce them to a Believer who has the Hope, Love, and Joy of Christ to give away. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to partnering with you in "The Great Commission."



			ATLAS of Sioux Falls 2701 S. Minnesota Ave. Suite 3 Sioux Falls, SD 57105 Telephone: (605) 977-0760 Fax: (605) 977-0762 justin@atlasofsiouxfalls.com Our Team: Justin Vandewater: Director Hi, I'm Justin Vandewater and this is my family: Wife-Jaymi, Grace (5), Lainey (3) and Joah (1). We recently moved to Sioux Falls from Iowa in May of '07 and are very excited to be a part of this community. I have been blessed to be a part of the ATLAS organization since '04, serving as the director here in Sioux Falls since September of '06. First a little bad news: I've really struggled through seasons in my life with pride, mistaken identity, cynicism, religiosity, lust, arrogance, lack of focus, jealousy, bitterness, and lack of purpose. As over-arching themes winding through each of these seasons and gripping my heart for many years were small little lies I was believing (maybe you can relate!): "what job you have, what car you drive, what house you own, what clothes you wear define who you are," "money will fulfill you," "your job will fulfill you," "you need to please people," "you're better than that person," "you're too good for that job," "it's all about you and your comfort," "you deserve recognition," "you can't give that much," "you're right, they're wrong," "one look won't hurt," "You're entitled to that," "Just work harder." These lies were so subtle that even though I loved God and would profess Him as my Lord and Savior in my heart, my mind was being swayed and I would look to Him primarily for personal fulfillment. For most of my life I have had a very self-centered relationship with Jesus Christ. My prayers focused on my own needs, blessings and happiness. How can God make my life more comfortable? I wanted to use God for my purposes. The Good News!: by God's design, mercy and love I have had several men leave a distinct mark on my life through each of these seasons and replace some of the deception I had built my life around with the solid rock of Truth. Scripture says, "do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." My heart shifted from wanting to use God for my purposes to wanting to be used by God for His purposes. Without the Godly influence and intentional discipleship of these people I know I would not be where I am at today. God has used these relationships to shape my passion for ATLAS and helping others Attain Truth, Love And Self-control in their lives as well. How many of us are searching the scriptures for this voice of truth and becoming un-conformed to this world? How many of us have people in our lives that are mature enough in Christ to be the voice of Truth when we need it? How many of us as Christians recognize the great need of our day for discipleship and intentional relationships based on giving and receiving Truth? Here are some Biblical truths that have begun to replace the little lies I use to believe and are making a big difference in my life and relationship with my heavenly father. Claim these truths in your own life and find one other person to disciple and reproduce the fullness of Christ them...we were born to reproduce! I am a child of God; I am Christ's friend; I have been justified; I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit; I have been bought with a price and I belong to God; I am a member of Christ's Body; I have been adopted as God's child; I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit; I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins; I am complete in Christ; I am free forever from condemnation; I am assured that all things work together for good; I cannot be separated from the love of God; I have been established, anointed and sealed by God; I am hidden with Christ in God; I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected; I am a citizen of Heaven; I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind; I can find grace and mercy in time of need; I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me; I am the salt and light of the earth; I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life; I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit; I am a personal witness of Christ's; I am God's temple; I am a minister if reconciliation; I am God's coworker; I am seated with Christ in the Heavenly realms; I am God's workmanship; I may approach God with freedom and confidence; I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Brian Rand: Staff Mentor Hello, my name is Brian Rand, I am the new Staff Mentor for ATLAS of Sioux Falls. I will be working along side Justin Vandewater at our office here in Sioux Falls, trying to connect the hurting with those who have the truth and life-giving power of Christ. It is an honor for me to be in this office, the path for me to get here has been long and adventure-filled. I grew up in a rough home with a lot of drugs and alcohol. I started selling drugs young and at 19 my life came to a screeching halt. I was arrested, lost everything, and was on my way to prison. Then a few guys reached out their hands and they taught me how to learn, how to live, and most of all, how to love. I then asked them what I could do to pay it back and they asked me to give it away to the next guy that needs it. I live my life to give back the love and redemption Christ gave me through these friends. The city of Sioux Falls is full of people who feel the same way I did, and have the idea that "this life is too hard, God can't be real." As I was writing this a friend of mine contacted me to say, "I want to run away and die, I don't feel like living, I do not even believe in God anymore, sorry for wasting your time Brian." This is not a very far-fetched story. More than likely you can find someone in your neighborhood, work, or school feeling the same way. Our desire at ATLAS is to find these people, walk with them through their crisis and hopefully introduce them to a Believer who has the Hope, Love, and Joy of Christ to give away. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to partnering with you in "The Great Commission."