Our Staff

LeAnn Minister

Director of Congregational Life
LeAnn has served Spirit of Peace in this role since 2020. She engages visitors and members, coordinates volunteers, and provides support to the wide variety of ministries at Spirit of Peace. Prior to this position, she was the director of Christian education at Spirit of Peace since 2011. Having lived and experienced worship in other countries, as well as both coasts of the U.S., being part of the Spirit of Peace congregation has been an exceptional gift. This church family encourages people of all ages to inquire, create, and act with mercy and compassion in their faith journeys. LeAnn loves spending time with her family and friends, both near and far, and visiting new places around this magnificent globe.

Kara Schweitzer

Youth Engagement Director
Kara and her husband Kevin have been part of Spirit of Peace since 2014, when they relocated to Sioux Falls. They are proud parents of Jacob and his wife, Taylor; Teddy and her husband Chett; Owen and Ramsey. They’re also adoring grandparents to 2-year-old granddaughter Renley and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Schweitzer in January.

Kara has been part of the education programming at Spirit of Peace in some capacity since she joined the congregation, and currently serves on the Media and Outreach Ministry Team.

Kara is an 11-year veteran of the South Dakota Department of Education, serving as a career development specialist for the Division of College, Career and Student Success. She currently serves on the South Dakota Board of Vocational Rehabilitation, volunteers for South Dakota Junior Achievement, and is active in the area’s foster care system, as a licensed foster parent and advocate for foster children and families.

In her free time, Kara enjoys reading, puzzle solving, watching sports and documentaries, walking and snuggling with her four canine companions, and most of all, being a hands-on, enthusiastic Nana. 

Carrie Soto

Office Manager
Carrie joined Spirit of Peace in October 2023 and began her role as office manager in May 2024. After being invited to attend by a long-time friend and Spirit of Peace member, Carrie and her youngest daughter, Willow, found a church home at Spirit of Peace. Carrie grew up in the Humboldt-Montrose, South Dakota, area, graduated high school from Madison, South Dakota, and landed in Luverne, Minnesota, where she and her family lived for 17 years. In addition to Willow, Carrie has two young adult children, Michael and Haleah. While raising her kids as a single parent, Carrie completed her education, earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls and is currently working to finish her doctorate in education, also from the University of Sioux Falls. In addition to working full-time and furthering her education, Carrie modeled the value of service for her kids by spearheading the Luverne BackPack Program, serving on several boards including Rotary, #Luv1LuvAll, SHARE of Rock County, Luverne Child Guide Program, and the Rock County Dementia Network. Today, Carrie is a strong advocate and ally for the transgender community and uses her position and voice to ensure equitable access to health care. In those rare moments of free time, Carrie enjoys going on walks, spending time with family and friends, or doing absolutely nothing!

Dan Graber

Choir Director
Dan has served as choir director at Spirit of Peace since 2011 and also serves as music director and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in piano and voice from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas. Leading music and working with people is something that brings him great joy. He sees music as an integral part of worship services— something that can inspire people and bring them nearer to God—this is the true inspiration of his work! He lives east of Freeman, South Dakota with his wife, Tina, and two children, Adaline and Levi. They are also active in the family farming operation.

Karl Graber

Pianist/Church Musician
Karl has been providing music for Spirit of Peace church services since 2009. He began musical studies at age 5 on violin and age 6 on piano. He has a Bachelor of Music in piano from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to making music with his friends, he enjoys golfing and working in his yard south of Marion, South Dakota, in the summer, and reading in the winter.

Our Story

Spirit of Peace is a relatively new church with a unique history.  The first worship service was March 25, 2007.

There was already a congregation of more than 250 members who “jumpstarted” this church after having built it in partnership with the South Dakota Conference of the UCC.  The original members of the congregation came from Crestwood UCC, located at 33rd Street and Cliff Avenue for about 45 years.

They outgrew their worship space and their parking, and envisioned a new church that would provide beautiful and creative space for their ministry, as well as help raise the visibility of the UCC in Sioux Falls.

Today, we are pleased to provide a beautiful sanctuary, a multi-use community room, a labyrinth for walking meditation and plenty of classroom and other space for all our varied activities. We intentionally created “blank canvases” in our space so that people of all beliefs feel welcome. Over the years we’ve provided space for the Hindu Temple of Siouxland, Native American ceremonies, and regular meditations led by Buddhist monks. We also have friends from our neighboring Jewish, Muslim, and interdenominational communities who attend our events and services.

New members often say to us,  “I never knew a church like this existed!” Or, “I didn’t know there was a church where my questions could be asked out loud.”