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My name is Elijah Lee, and my wife Michelle and I have been married for 13 years. We are blessed with four daughters: Marina, Jessie, Jasmine, and Naomi, who are truly the joy of our lives. Family has always been at the heart of who we are and what we do. We come to Avon from Gadsden, Alabama, a city of about 33,000 people. Over the past eight years, I have served in ministry through a Christian Organization where I held various leadership roles. Through faithfulness, dedication, and completing the required training and credentials, God prepared me for ministry. At the core of it all is a deep passion to help people and point them toward Christ. I truly believe that God led our family to Avon. I felt the Lord urging me to look for a place that needed what our ministry had to offer. After conversations with the minister search committee, it became clear that there was a shared sense that this could be a good fit. When Michelle and I first visited Avon First Baptist Church, we both felt this was the opportunity we had been praying for. When we left Avon that first time, it honestly felt like a piece of my heart stayed here. This church is one of the greatest groups of Christians I have ever met. I am honored and humbled to walk alongside the people of this congregation as their pastor. The Avon community has been incredibly welcoming, and our family has truly enjoyed our experience here in South Dakota. This church has Life. It has a future and a legacy. The ministry here is positioned to grow, prosper, and continue doing the Lord’s work for years to come. Our goal is simple, to point people to Christ. I firmly believe that every person has a God-shaped void in their heart, a place that only He can fill. No matter how big or small a community may be, the need for hope and truth remains the same. Scripture shows us time and again that God is able to do more with less. My preaching style is expository in nature. I enjoy walking verse by verse through Scripture, studying the original Greek, Hebrew, or Chaldean to better understand the full meaning and context of God’s Word. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love your neighbor as yourself, and that truth guides my life and ministry. I believe strongly in living intentionally, showing people we care by giving our time, planning events, and investing our resources. Avon First Baptist Church is also deeply committed to missions, both foreign and domestic, while continuing to focus much of its outreach right here in Avon through ministry, local support, and community involvement. We already have plans in the works, not just to continue what has been done, but to build upon it and grow even further through personal connections and church outreach. My hope is that together we can further the work of the Lord. I often say that I want to see everybody get saved, and their cousin too—but in all seriousness, our desire is to continue being a light in this community. It’s always encouraging to see people excited and eager to attend church, and we believe God has called us to glorify Him and make disciples. Scripture reminds us that obedience is greater than sacrifice, and that truth continues to guide our steps. Outside of ministry, I value time with my family and friends. I love attending my children’s events, fellowshipping with the church, and enjoying a good potluck dinner. I want people to know that I’m just like everyone else, I don’t believe in “big I’s and little us.” We are all part of the same body of Christ. I am strengthened daily by the Word of God, my family, and the people God has placed around me. We have a weekly pastors and deacons meeting where we pray together and support one another. One of my favorite verses, Proverbs 3:5- 6, reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, acknowledging Him so He can direct our paths. Above all else, I want people to know this: God loves you. When you feel like no one cares, He cares. When you feel alone, He is with you and will never leave or forsake you. God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. A great love required a great sacrifice. Salvation is a free gift—not based on how good we are, but on how great God is. You can’t earn it, and there are no strings attached. All you have to do is accept it. If you would like to grow in your faith, we have people here who would love to get to know you, walk alongside you, and pray with you.