Gospel Seeds Planted at Dakota Fest 2026 – by Jeff Goss

(Pastor Jon Potter is ministering the Gospel at Dakota Fest in Mitchell South Dakota)

DakotaFest 2026 in Mitchell, South Dakota, was one of the most fruitful ministry opportunities I have experienced in several years of serving there. Events like DakotaFest remind us why it is so important to take the Gospel beyond the four walls of the church and into the places where people live, work, and gather.

Many studies suggest that a large percentage of people who come to faith in Christ do so outside a traditional church setting. That was certainly true in my own life. Although I attended church for the first fourteen years of my life, it was not until I attended a football camp at Sterling College in Kansas that I clearly heard the plan of salvation. A Kansas City Chiefs player, along with other players and coaches, shared the Gospel with me from the Bible, and it changed my life.

That experience has given me a passion for reaching people wherever they are. At farm shows and agricultural events, we regularly meet people who have attended church for many years but still do not fully understand how a person can be saved.

(Pastor Jon Potter from Mitchell Assembly of God church is sharing with a couple of young boys)

One example was a family from Minnesota who stopped by our booth during DakotaFest. They were faithful churchgoers, but as we talked, it became clear that they believed they had to earn their way into heaven through good works. I shared with them that Scripture teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that there is none righteous—not even one. We also talked about how our own righteousness is like filthy rags before God and that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works.

As they listened, the message seemed to resonate deeply with them. Before long, the entire family—husband, wife, and children—prayed together to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. They were sincere and eager to respond to the Gospel. In fact, before we prayed, the father respectfully asked everyone to remove their hats. It was a special moment that demonstrated their reverence and openness to God.

(People of all ages visited the FCFI booth at Dakota Fest)

Another memorable encounter involved an older woman who repeated the sinner’s prayer with me. As she prayed, tears filled her eyes. A short time later, her husband joined her at the booth, and she excitedly told him that she had just given her life to Christ.

Throughout the event, people of all ages stopped by our booth. Many listened to the Gospel message, and a number of them chose to place their faith in Jesus Christ.

We were also blessed to meet several French- and English-speaking visitors from Quebec, Canada. Among them was a husband and wife who prayed with us to receive Christ. It was encouraging to see people from different backgrounds and regions responding to the same life-changing message of the Gospel.

(Pastor Jon Potter is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ)

A tremendous blessing during Dakota Fest was the assistance of Pastor Jon Potter from Mitchell Assembly of God. Pastor Jon spent time helping with the ministry and connecting with visitors. Because he serves locally, we were able to direct people from the area to his church for continued spiritual growth and discipleship. Although he pastors a church, he also possesses a strong evangelistic gift, which greatly enhanced our outreach efforts.

As I reflect on DakotaFest 2026, I am reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:14:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

Every time we share the Gospel, we are participating in God’s mission to reach the world. Whether at a church, a farm show, or a community event, every conversation is an opportunity to point someone to Christ.

May we continue sharing our faith faithfully until the day the Lord returns.