Tyler & Ayren Dykstra
United States
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
About Our Ministry
Tyler and Ayren are full-time missionaries with Oyate Concern Christian Ministry. Oyate Concern works in Native American ministry and is located in Oglala, South Dakota to serve the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Oyate Concern’s vision is to make disciples and empower indigenous leaders as they join in God’s work to transform lives and communities with the gospel. Towards this, Oyate Concern is committed to working in the community for the good of the community. They believe in the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and seek to live out the values of our faith by loving others, lifting up those who have been disadvantaged or marginalized, caring for those who are weary and hurting, advocating for those who have experienced injustice, building safe spaces in the community for healthy relationships to flourish, empowering and partnering with other community organizations, bringing resources to those in need, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Oyate Concern's ultimate goal is to raise up indigenous Christian leadership and to empower the community to a stronger, healthier lifestyle spiritually, physically, emotionally.
Tyler and Ayren served with Oyate Concern from 2011 to 2018, and are returning to the field in 2025. At Oyate Concern, Tyler's role will be to serve as Field Director, leading the staff of Oyate Concern and being responsible for the vision and direction of the organization. One new focus will be the development and implementation of a one year training certificate to equip disciples to become leaders. Ayren will serve as a Community Director, coordinating day-to-day operations, working to build discipleship relationships in the community, and taking the lead in launching the new horse-ranch ministry. Oyate Concern's current ministries include Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, and a Preschool.
About Our Call
Ayren's family first moved to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 2001. They began serving in the community of Oglala in children, teen, and adult ministry. During this time, Ayren felt God calling her to ministry to the people of Oglala.
Tyler's family served with the Grace Community Church mission trip to Wiikwemkoong in Ontario, Canada from 2000 to 2008. As Tyler graduated high school, he felt called to serve in a place where there weren't many Christian workers. This led him to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he met Ayren.
As Tyler and Ayren dated, they felt God calling them both to ministry in Oglala. They moved there in 2011, after graduating. They served in Oglala for seven years, and all three of their kids were born there. Those years were spent serving in youth ministry, children's ministry, adult Bible studies, teaching in Oyate Hope Academy, and Tyler leading Oyate Grace Church as its pastor. In 2018, God led the Dykstras to Warrington, Pennsylvania to serve in another ministry. After seven years in Warrington, God has called them back to Oglala.
Tyler and Ayren are excited to serve in Oglala once again. Ayren's love of horses (which was expressed as a teen in horse-riding on the reservation) fits well with the horse-ranch ministry of Oyate Concern. Tyler is passionate about empowering others to use their gifts to lift up those around them, and is excited about putting his masters degree from Fuller Theological Seminary to good use in leadership training.
About Our Family
Tyler is from the Grand Rapids area. Ayren grew up in Columbus, Ohio and Oglala, South Dakota. They have three wonderful kids. They enjoy spending time with their kids, getting out into nature, and playing family games. They love connecting with people at their home or over meals. Tyler enjoys hiking and basketball. Ayren loves the beach and cool evenings gathered around a campfire.
Prayer Requests
Pray for Tyler and Ayren as they move back to South Dakota in 2025.
Pray that their family would adjust well to a new culture, and their kids would transition well with friends and schooling.
Pray that they are able to reconnect with old friends and ministry partners in the Oglala community.
Pray for Tyler as he plans and leads construction projects each summer.
Pray for Ayren as she builds relationships in the community and develops a horse-discipleship ministry.
Pray for the ministries of Oyate Concern, that God would work through the staff there to make disciples and bring healing and hope to the community.
United States
Tyler & Ayren Dykstra
Located in...
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota
Serving Faithfully for...
8 Years
Sent by...
Oyate Concern
Tyler and Ayren are full-time missionaries with Oyate Concern Christian Ministry. Oyate Concern works in Native American ministry and is located in Oglala, South Dakota to serve the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Oyate Concern’s vision is to make disciples and empower indigenous leaders as they join in God’s work to transform lives and communities with the gospel. Towards this, Oyate Concern is committed to working in the community for the good of the community. They believe in the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and seek to live out the values of our faith by loving others, lifting up those who have been disadvantaged or marginalized, caring for those who are weary and hurting, advocating for those who have experienced injustice, building safe spaces in the community for healthy relationships to flourish, empowering and partnering with other community organizations, bringing resources to those in need, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Oyate Concern's ultimate goal is to raise up indigenous Christian leadership and to empower the community to a stronger, healthier lifestyle spiritually, physically, emotionally.
Tyler and Ayren served with Oyate Concern from 2011 to 2018, and are returning to the field in 2025. At Oyate Concern, Tyler's role will be to serve as Field Director, leading the staff of Oyate Concern and being responsible for the vision and direction of the organization. One new focus will be the development and implementation of a one year training certificate to equip disciples to become leaders. Ayren will serve as a Community Director, coordinating day-to-day operations, working to build discipleship relationships in the community, and taking the lead in launching the new horse-ranch ministry. Oyate Concern's current ministries include Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, and a Preschool.
Ayren's family first moved to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 2001. They began serving in the community of Oglala in children, teen, and adult ministry. During this time, Ayren felt God calling her to ministry to the people of Oglala.
Tyler's family served with the Grace Community Church mission trip to Wiikwemkoong in Ontario, Canada from 2000 to 2008. As Tyler graduated high school, he felt called to serve in a place where there weren't many Christian workers. This led him to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he met Ayren.
As Tyler and Ayren dated, they felt God calling them both to ministry in Oglala. They moved there in 2011, after graduating. They served in Oglala for seven years, and all three of their kids were born there. Those years were spent serving in youth ministry, children's ministry, adult Bible studies, teaching in Oyate Hope Academy, and Tyler leading Oyate Grace Church as its pastor. In 2018, God led the Dykstras to Warrington, Pennsylvania to serve in another ministry. After seven years in Warrington, God has called them back to Oglala.
Tyler and Ayren are excited to serve in Oglala once again. Ayren's love of horses (which was expressed as a teen in horse-riding on the reservation) fits well with the horse-ranch ministry of Oyate Concern. Tyler is passionate about empowering others to use their gifts to lift up those around them, and is excited about putting his masters degree from Fuller Theological Seminary to good use in leadership training.
Tyler is from the Grand Rapids area. Ayren grew up in Columbus, Ohio and Oglala, South Dakota. They have three wonderful kids. They enjoy spending time with their kids, getting out into nature, and playing family games. They love connecting with people at their home or over meals. Tyler enjoys hiking and basketball. Ayren loves the beach and cool evenings gathered around a campfire.
Pray for Tyler and Ayren as they move back to South Dakota in 2025.
Pray that their family would adjust well to a new culture, and their kids would transition well with friends and schooling.
Pray that they are able to reconnect with old friends and ministry partners in the Oglala community.
Pray for Tyler as he plans and leads construction projects each summer.
Pray for Ayren as she builds relationships in the community and develops a horse-discipleship ministry.
Pray for the ministries of Oyate Concern, that God would work through the staff there to make disciples and bring healing and hope to the community.
Located in...
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota
Serving Faithfully for...
8 Years
Sent by...
Oyate Concern
Encounter God | Train the Found | Seek the Lost