Word of Hope was launched on March 10, 2002 by a group of 12 families from Rapid City First Wesleyan who had a vision to see people from Rapid Valley and the surrounding area come to Christ and experience wholeness. Led by Pastor Scott Wiley, this group was commissioned by First Wesleyan and trained for nine months before giving birth to this new church.
Our emphasis was on contemporary worship, creative outreach, healthy relationships and life-changing discipleship.
Word of Hope has always been a "church on the go". Our first 13 services were held at Rapid Valley Elementary School until we moved to the former Rapid Valley Sanitary District building, affectionately called "The Living Water Building". After a year this location became unavailable and Word of Hope once again went "mobile". Since that time we have borrowed or rented various public buildings for weekend services. All other small groups and meetings are held in members' homes, restaurants and public meeting rooms. All staff office out of their homes and hold down other jobs.
In 2007 a generous donor gifted 2.2 acres to Word of Hope along Elk Vale Road in Rapid Valley. Construction of our first building began in 2009 and was completed in 2010. Our first service in the new building was June 27, 2010.
Since the beginning of Word of Hope many have come to Christ and have been baptized. Several have found new meaning to a neglected faith. Others have found new hope in broken relationships