SFC Stories

Raising Ambassadors

Max Kaarre shares his spiritual transformation, from a lukewarm faith to a deep commitment to follow Jesus.

Growing up in a Christian environment at Sioux Falls Christian, Max Kaarre (‘23) initially viewed faith as a routine assignment, something discussed at school and church without much personal connection. His middle school years were marked by rebellion as he sought popularity and validation, leading him down a problematic path.   

This changed during his junior year of high school when he had a revelation about his own sin and the true significance of the Bible. A pivotal moment came during a youth group meeting, where a sermon on Matthew 7 made him realize that true Christianity involves living out one’s faith, not just professing it.  

By the time he was a senior in high school, Kaarre had begun to reassess his future. Initially planning to attend the University of South Dakota to pursue a business degree, he realized that his motives—desiring comfort and financial success—were selfish and not aligned with his stronger faith. He eventually discovered YWAM (Youth With A Mission) through a friend.   

During his outreach in Scandinavia, Kaarre encountered a culture where people identified as Christians but lacked genuine faith. The experience of ministering through street evangelism, worship gatherings, and personal connections, particularly with young Norwegians burdened for their non-Christian families, deepened his calling to missions. He realized that his life’s purpose was to reach the lost as an ambassador for Christ.   

Max now feels called to continue ministry, whether as an outreach pastor or in a global mission context, and recognizes that every Christian has a responsibility to share the Gospel in their sphere of influence. 

Sidney Schock reflects on her journey of faith and mission work with YWAM

SFC alumna Sidney Schock’s high school years shaped her path toward mission work and serving others. Initially unsure about her future, Schock (‘22) was drawn to various fields, from physical therapy to journalism. But through a series of life experiences, she discovered her true calling—missions. 

Her journey began with impactful trips to Ukraine, Haiti, and New Mexico, where she was deeply moved by the opportunity to serve others. Despite these experiences, she never considered missions as a long-term path. It wasn’t until the opportunity to join Youth With A Mission (YWAM) that she realized this was the next step in her life.  

Looking back, Schock sees how God had been guiding her through these mission trips, leading her to YWAM in a way she hadn’t expected. “The Lord was always working this string of missions through my life,” she reflects. “I didn’t make the connection until it was clear that this is where God was calling me.” Schock’s time with YWAM has not been without challenges. One of the biggest has been navigating the pressure of comparison. 

While many of her peers have followed the traditional path to college, Schock’s decision to pursue missions led her to question her choices at times. “It’s been a mental battle, especially when I see my friends in college, but I know this is where the Lord has me for a reason,” she shared.  

Schock explained that Romans 1:16 has become a foundational verse for her, reminding her that sharing the gospel is a life-changing responsibility. Through her experiences, Schock has grown in her faith, learning to embrace the gospel’s power and significance. She is grateful for the strong spiritual foundation provided by her teachers and classmates at Sioux Falls Christian.

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Bringing a Holocaust Survivor’s Story to Life

This spring, Sioux Falls Christian theater students took on the responsibility of telling the true story of Sala Garncarz, a 16-year-old Jewish girl who survived seven Nazi labor camps during the Holocaust.   

Under the direction of theater director Christine Ehrisman, the cast explored not only Sala’s incredible endurance but also the deep faith that helped her survive unimaginable hardship.  

“Sala was asked to join a labor camp at just 16,” explained Ehrisman. “Over the next five years, she endured seven different camps and managed to hide over 352 letters, photographs, and documents from family and friends—an act that, if discovered, could have cost her life.”  

Margaret Vogel (‘25), who played the younger Sala, shared how deeply Sala’s bravery moved her. “If you were caught hiding letters, you were probably going to be killed,” she said. “It was unbearably hard, and I’ll never be able to understand how hard it was, but I do know that faith can hold us through and that there’s a purpose beyond this life that we can hold on to.”  

Lauren Wimmer (‘25), who portrayed the older Sala, emphasized that the story is more than one of suffering. “Sala’s story isn’t just a sob story,” she said. “It’s about tribulations and triumphs. I want people to appreciate the resilience of those who went through the Holocaust and reflect on their own lives.”

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