Program focuses on Dakota Presbytery

Program focuses on Dakota Presbytery

Staff report

austintown

“A Faith Journey of a People, Dakota and Christianity — Introductory Overview” is airing this week on the Internet, www.eWave.tv under the Christian TV tab.

Skip Hall, owner of Forerunner Multimedia Films, and the Rev. Bob Offerdahl, retired Presbyterian minister in the Valley originally from South Dakota, are producers.

Hall said the 281/2-minute overview focuses on the 175-year history of the Dakota Presbytery that includes the Native American tribes of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota. He said the documentary will continue to be aired on eWave.tv under specials and also on his website, www.forerunnermultimedia.com.

Hall said he is completing individual videos on time periods reflected in the overview. They are “The Beginning, 1835,” “Point of Transformation, 1862-66,” “Age of Growth, 1868-1900; “Established Faith, 20th Century,” and “Today’s Challenges.”

Rev. Mr. Offerdahl said that the Native Americans have an oral culture, so the documentary reflects that.

Mr. Offerdahl, who transferred his Eastminster Presbytery membership to the Dakota Presbytery, has participated in various mission trips to Native American churches. In 2009, he hosted the Rev. Sidney Byrd, a retired Presbyterian pastor who is a Native American, for six weeks.

The Rev. Mr. Byrd spoke at churches and interfaith events in the Valley. Mr. Offerdahl said that after hearing Mr. Byrd talk about his life, he realized the importance of sharing it and arranged for Hall to do videos of Mr. Bryd at presentations. Mr. Byrd also is included in the “Faith Journey” documentary.