Kathi Dyer
Accountant and Preschool Teacher
Kathi has lived or worked on the Pine Ridge Reservation for almost 23 years. She has 5 children of her own and many “other” children who call or think of her as mom. She is the ministry’s Accountant and Preschool Director. She loves children and has a passion to serve them on the reservation in Oglala.
Kathi began teaching by homeschooling several children along with her children. In 2009, she began a Christian school in Oglala. In 2023, the school broke off and became its own entity, Oyate Hope Academy. Kathi still teaches the preschool.
Kia Steele
Director of Teen and Children's Ministry
Kia is an indigenous leader. She came to the children’s program, Blow Out, at 9 years old. Blow Out is where she asked Jesus to be King of her life and she has followed and grown in Him ever since. She moved back to the reservation in 2012, with a heart to serve the community where she grew up. She is the current director and teacher of the youth and children's ministry, and also assists in the Preschool and with many other daily functions of the ministry in Oglala.
In her own words:
I grew up in Oelrichs and Oglala, SD. When I was 10 years old, I was invited by a friend to attend the Blow Out program at Oyate Concern. Rob and Kathi Dyer recall that I was a shy little kid that sat in the back with my hood pulled up and I wouldn’t talk to anyone. Little did I know that God would begin to use them to help shape my faith and become mentors to help me become the leader I hope and aspire to be for Jesus and to help reach the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for Christ.I received Christ in 2002 and was baptized. Later, I became a Teen Leader and helped build and lead the Teen Night program. Since receiving Christ, He has taken me on a whirlwind adventure of faith and trust. In 2006, my family moved to Riverton, Wyoming. This was a difficult time. I was leaving the only spiritual family I had known. A year after moving to Wyoming and finally adjusting to this whole new life, I made a friend through one of the clubs I was involved with at my school. God’s hand was at work, because I began to attend his youth group, and continued to grow in my faith, apart from Oyate Concern.
In the summer of 2009, I moved back to the reservation and finished out my high school education. I lived at Oyate Concern in the ministry house and graduated from Pine Ridge High School in 2010. After that Summer I returned to Riverton to live with my brother. In April 2012, I felt God was calling me to go back to work for Oyate Concern full-time.
In June 2012, I returned to Oyate Concern as a full-time staff member. Since being back I definitely feel more at home than anywhere I have ever lived, being fully reunited with my spiritual family that I love so dearly, I am committed to working with this amazing staff that God has placed in my life, and continuing the work of reaching my community for Christ. I am committed to making more disciples.
-Kia Steele.
Ayren Dykstra
Community Director and Horse Ministry
Ayren Dykstra moved with her family to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 2001 at the age of twelve. At this age she volunteered for Oyate Concern, helping to develop the Blow Out and Teen Night programs along with Oyate Grace Church. As a teenager, Ayren also used horses to disciple kids from her home.
In 2007, Ayren left the reservation to attend Moody Bible Institute where she majored in Urban Ministries. During her time in Chicago Ayren gained valuable experience mentoring young women and working in youth ministry with both Lawndale Community Church and New Life Community Church: Lakeview.
Ayren graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2011 with a B.A. in Urban Ministries. Upon graduation she returned with her husband Tyler to work full time at Oyate Concern. She served on the reservation in various roles: directing the children's ministry, leading teen discipleship, teaching various Bible studies, and serving as the 2nd-3rd grade teacher in Oyate Concern Christian School.
Ayren and Tyler were called to serve at another ministry in 2018. They returned to Oyate Concern in 2025. Currently Ayren is the Community Director and is leads the horse ministry, which is scheduled to launch regular programming in the spring of 2026.
Ayren and Tyler have three children: Avery, Caden, and Olivia.
Tyler Dykstra
Field Director
Tyler grew up volunteering in the summers on mission teams working on the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Indian Reserve in Ontario, Canada. Experience as a student leader in high school formed a desire to work with youth. During his four years in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute Tyler served in a leadership role in starting a Jr. High youth ministry at New Life Community Church: Lakeview.
Tyler Dykstra graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2010 with a B.A. in Youth Ministry. He joined Oyate Concern in 2011 with his wife Ayren. Tyler served in various roles on the reservation: Youth Pastor, Pastor, and Bible teacher.
In 2018, Tyler and Ayren were called to serve at another ministry. During this time Tyler completed at Masters of Arts in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. Tyler and Ayren returned to Oyate Concern in 2025. Currently Tyler serves as the Field Director for Oyate Concern and is the primary instructor for the Indigenous Leader Training program.
Tyler and Ayren have three kids: Avery, Caden, and Olivia.