by Tara Beitelspacher

Pride of the Prairie

Pastor Zack Sippert, 25, is just beginning his career with his first assignment in Bowdle. In addition, he is the pastor serving Zion Lutheran Church in Ipswich.

Going into his assignment committee, which took place in April, Pastor Sippert was made aware of his two potential assignments: metropolitan Tacoma, Washington, and right here in rural South Dakota. Both options were quite different then being raised in Eau Claire, Wis., where the population is around 60,000.

Either change for Pastor Sippert would be a big one, as he spent his entire high school, college and seminary schooling at home in Eau Claire.

For the past 22 years, his father has been a professor at the seminary he attended. Prior to that, they spent time in rural Nebraska and rural North Dakota. This experience has been transferred to their son, so he was instructed to plan ahead, as it is more than a ten minute drive to the grocery store.

Pastor Sippert's family history played a big role in his decision to become a pastor. His great-grandfather, Albert Sippert, was a minister who also served as a pastor in South Dakota in the towns of Clear Lake and Hidewood. To make the situation even more unique, Albert Sippert was also born and raised in Bowdle, SD. Paul Sippert, Pastor Sippert's grandfather, said that Albert "would be filled with joy to see the family name has returned to Bowdle." Pastor Sippert expressed, "Even though the narrative has come full circle with the Sippert name returning to Bowdle, I think the important thing to track is the handing down of the torch of zeal for God's Word. From great-grandfather, to grandfather, to father, to me; the Lord has shown to all of us that there is one thing needful, namely God's Word, which tells us of the love of our savior, Jesus Christ."

This torch of zeal is not only seen in the Sippert lineage but it is also seen in the congregations that Pastor Sippert is serving. The torch is also being passed on as Redeemer Lutheran in Bowdle looks back upon its 60 years and, coming up in 2023, Zion Lutheran in Ipswich looks back upon its 100 years. Both these congregations will be reflecting upon long lineages of the Lord's grace as they strive to go forward to hold fast to and learn from the one thing needful, God's Word.

Pastor's installation day brought pastors from their CLC Synod from Bismarck, Valentine, Lemmon, Sioux Falls, Jamestown, and also several retired pastors. As this was his first installation, one might wonder what he will remember the most. He shared, "There is a portion in the worship service where the pastors do a laying on of hands where I kneel down, and they put their hand on my head where they read a Bible passage or a blessing that they wrote up, or a prayer. Kneeling down at the chancel step and having all those pastors go by and give those reassuring words will be something that I will remember forever about that occasion."

Sippert is engaged to Dannie Gamble, who is still finishing up her elementary education degree. She has plans to work in a Christian Day School and will be qualified to teach children in grades K-8. The couple will be wed on May 26, 2023, in the Twin Cities. The couple has said several times during the year that they plan to visit, but the first most notable will be in September when Pastor Sippert officiates at a good friend's wedding, who also happens to be Dannie's cousin.

While in high school, Zack enjoyed playing soccer but in recent years has been enjoying golf as his hobby. At print time, he had already tried out the Bowdle course but had plans to try out the Ipswich course the following week.

Currently, you can catch services at Redeemer Lutheran at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning or Zion Lutheran at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning (services are held at the Leonard-Gramm Funeral Home). You can also catch Zion Lutheran's Bible study on Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the United Housing Apartments 12-plex building, which is located at 217 1st Ave in Ipswich. You may reach Pastor Sippert at 715-523-0286 or email him at [email protected].