Janet and I live on the farm I grew up on, just a few miles north of Fulda. Janet and I both attended high school together. We met at the local youth group. Youth Group is also where we both learned about who our Savior really is. This was also the catalyst for me becoming a follower of Jesus.
After high school Janet and I were married and raised 5 children all of whom are followers of Jesus. Through the years following Jesus has been a journey. Times when my trust in Him has been unwavering and other times wondering where He was and not trusting that His Word was all He claimed it to be. And time after time Gods Word living through the lives of those around me has modeled for me Gods faithfulness.
Janet and I have been privileged to start what is known in Fulda as Discipleship. This has since been passed off to Luke and Rachel Isder. Because of God’s grace and through that ministry, we were able to be part of young men and women becoming followers of Jesus.
My name is Tim Farris, and my wife's name is Marianna Farris. Sharing a love of music, we met at a weekly worship night in Sioux Falls and were married in September of 2021. We share a passion for gospel-centered ministry, meaning that we believe the good news of Jesus is central to effective ministry. We desire to make disciples of Jesus who then go and make other disciples.
I am from South Central Nebraska. Though I was born in Kearney, NE, I have lived all over the Midwest as a pastor's son. The states I have lived in include Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Kansas, and Oklahoma. While I have lived in several states, I spent most of my life in Sioux Falls, SD. Marianna was born in Dallas, TX. Though her family is from the south (Texas and North Carolina), her family moved to Brookings, SD when she was three years old.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Oklahoma Baptist University. I also earned a Master of Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention. Marianna earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Sioux Falls and serves as a Registered Nurse at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda. When we are not working, we enjoy camping and hiking. We also enjoy playing music together as I play piano and Marianna violin.
Jesus's words to his disciples reflect our sense of calling into vocational ministry: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37b-38, ESV). We are excited about the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and we want others to hear this good news! We are excited that there is a harvest, that is, that there are people ready to respond in faith to the good news of Jesus. We believe God uses his church to reach the nations, and we endeavor to partner with the local church for the mission of making disciples that make disciples.
May 21, 2025
Pastor Don LeClere grew up on a farm near Coggon, Iowa, and was ordained in 1987. He has served the Marshall Evangelical Free Church in Marshalltown, Iowa, for 40 years, starting as an associate pastor and becoming the senior pastor in 1985. He is noted for his extensive service, including over 70 short-term mission trips, disaster relief work, and church planting.
GCC is honored to have Pastor Don and his wonderful wife, Sandra, faithfully serve our congregation as we search for a new Lead Pastor.
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- Director of Ministries
- Interim Pastor
