Personal Biography for Harrison Lippert

 

Background Information: I was born and raised in South Dakota and lived on a farm near Tripp from 3rd grade through high school.  I attended the Memorial Baptist Church in Parkston and made a decision to accept Jesus as my Savior during Vacation Bible School in the summer after 3rd grade.  I was baptized by Pastor Brian Hayes when I was in 4th grade and our family was always close to the pastors and their kids of that church leaving me many fond if not always edifying memories of church life and pastors’ families.

 

I graduated from Tripp High School in 1985 where I had the chance to participate in numerous activities.  They won two football championships in spite of me.  I really was more helpful in band as a trumpet player and singing bass in choir.  After high school, not knowing what to do with my life, I attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.  I graduated in 1989 and ten days later married my high school sweet heart, Pam Guthmiller. 

 

Pam and I began our adventure in marriage and in the Air Force together and a couple years later were blessed with Nathan (1992), then Jani (1993), and later Kyle (1995).  During our seven years in the Air Force we experienced some great fellowship in South Canyon Baptist Church, in Rapid City and New Life Baptist Church in Omaha.  We felt God’s call to seminary and made the exciting transition out of the Air Force and into school at North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls.  I switched from the Strategic Missiles career field to become a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves.

 

During seminary we had the privilege of serving as student pastor of Sioux Valley Baptist Church north of Dell Rapids.  We added Jessica (1997) and Bethany (1998) to our family during those years.  I started as the associate pastor at Oak Hills Baptist Church in Sioux Falls on January 1999 and joined the South Dakota Air National Guard one year later. 

 

In 2002 we were blessed with our sixth child, Natalie.  Before Natalie was a year old I was called to active duty to serve in Qatar in the Global War on Terror.  While deployed I resigned from Oak Hills though the church continued to serve as a great source of support and encouragement for our family.  Returning to Sioux Falls in May of 2003 we began to look and pray for a Senior Pastor position.

 

We were invited to visit Steamboat Rock in the summer of 2003.  As our oldest son, Nathan, said upon touring the parsonage and seeing the tire swing in the back yard, “It is like a dream.”  This church has been a real blessing to us.  The people have been so kind and our children are growing and thriving in the church and community.  Sometimes it feels like we are living a dream.  God has blessed us with Chaylie (2004) and Karis (2006) since we have been here.  For those who may be curious, our quiver is full.  We feel privileged to be walking with this group of people into the future God has for us.

  

Interests: I enjoy playing with my children--nothing like a good game of “Starlight, Moonlight” or “Sardines”.  Now they are getting old enough and sneaky enough to make a game of “Hearts” fun and challenging.  We also enjoy camping together, fishing, and music.  Pam and I enjoy walking the trails.  Some day I hope to enjoy golf again.     

 

Education:

Master of Divinity, North American Baptist Seminary, 1999

Master of Business Administration, 1993

Bachelor of Science (Applied Mathematics), United States Air Force Academy, 1989