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Cory Kitch, Senior Pastor

Cory grew up in Scott City, KS  He was ordained in the North American Baptist Church and also served as a pastor in Converge (AKA Baptist General Conference).  One of his greatest passions is biblical, Christ-centered, expository preaching because he believes it is God’s Word that grows the church.  Another great passion is one-on-one small group discipleship. He believes the purpose of ministry is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus.

Tristan, wife to Cory, was raised in Iowa.  She is a RN by trade and married her best friend 10 years ago. They have five children, Grayson, Gillian, Sulley, Mallory  and Ella.

Brandon Pedersen, Pastor of Family Ministries

Brandon was called to Discovery because of our shared beliefs and a desire to focus more of his energy into local church ministry. He’s very excited about the idea of being able to minister to students from a very young age and then all the way through high school. He also has a big heart for seeing parents equipped to minister to their kids. 

Brandon received his Masters from Redeemer Theological Seminary. Brandon is also currently on hiatus from a doctoral program with Westminster Theological Seminary. Should he feel called to return he would only be two classes short of earning his Doctorate in Biblical Counseling. 
Erin, Brandon’s wife, grew up in South Dakota and is a music education major by trade.  Brandon and Erin have six children,  Noah, Jonathon, Abigail, Samuel, Jael, and Gideon.
Ministry Experience:
   Grace Baptist Church, Vermillion, SD, Campus Pastor
    Equip Campus Ministries, Vermillion, SD. & Brookings, SD. 
Education:
  South Dakota State University — Business Economics, 2007    Redeemer Theological Seminary — Masters of Arts in                 Religion, 2011 

History of Discovery Church

In February of 2014, families began contacting each other seeking a Bible believing, gospel preaching church. Days later, people met to discuss the beginning of a new church in Yankton, SD. Wintz and Ray Funeral Home offered their facility and over 100 people came together on Sunday, March 2, 2014 for the first Worship Service of Discovery Church. On April 29, 2014, Pastor Jon Cooke accepted the call to become the first Senior Pastor of Discovery Church. On December 14, 2014,  we relocated to our new facility at 205 West 3rd St., Yankton, South Dakota.

Elder Board

Our elder board recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ. Our elder board consists of Senior Pastor Cory Kitch,  Pastor Brandon Pedersen, Jeff Herron, Dave Hofer, & Taylor O’Bryan.

We Believe:

IN THE BIBLE, which is inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and our final authority in faith and life.

IN ONE GOD, who exists eternally in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

IN JESUS CHRIST, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man; who died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and whose death made a way for all people to be saved by faith alone in him as Savior; who rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and is presently our High Priest and Advocate. 

IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, who glorifies Christ, convicts and regenerates sinners, baptizes, indwells and seals all believers at the moment of salvation, and fills, guides, instructs, gifts and empowers all believers for worship and godly living. 

IN A FALLEN HUMAN RACE, who, having been created in the image of God, through Adam’s sin and personal wrongdoing acquired a sinful nature and became separated from God without human remedy. 

IN PERSONAL SANCTIFICATION, which occurs at the moment of salvation, daily through the Word and Holy Spirit, and ultimately in the glorified state. 

IN THE SPIRITUAL UNITY of all believers in Jesus Christ, which is his body, the Church. 

IN TWO ORDINANCES, which consist of baptism and the Lord’s Table. 

IN the personal and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

IN THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE, which is between one man and one woman