New Pastor Arrives In Yankton: “From The Grid Iron To Grace”

Simmons grew up in Brandon and was recently inducted into the Bandon Valley Hall of Fame. During his senior year of high school in 1995, he was an all-state running back and state champion in wrestling.

His high school success led to a football scholarship at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

"I lost my identity in the football lifestyle and partying. This led to depression, then suicide tendencies," he said. "I knew the way I wanted to live, but I didn’t know how to achieve it. Then after I earned the starting tailback position, I blew out both my knees, ending my football career, causing deeper depression. I didn’t know what to do. More importantly, I didn’t know who I was."

Though the loss of his identity in athletic success, Mikal was convinced that his future was dim, and, as a result, tried to end his life.

"I ended up in the hospital, needing major surgery that led to intense shame," Simmons recalls.

After a couple of years of depression, he found something new and his life began to change.

"With what I had learned through sports about overcoming my opponent, I discovered that God’s Word could overcome depression," he said.

Mikal attributes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the impact of God’s Word for the change in his life.

During a short-term mission trip to China with his wife, Simmons felt his direction in life was to be a pastor.

"I went from being a person who had a hard time getting out of bed, to one who loved life," he said.

This subsequently led Simmons to The King’s University in Colorado where he graduated with a degree in Theology and Christian Ministry.

Back in Brandon, Simmons was mentored by Pastor Kirk Stand, senior pastor of Brandon Valley Assembly of God. He confirmed that Simmons had the giftings to become a Senior Pastor, and encouraged him in that direction.

"My wife and I would drive through Yankton a few times a year since her parents live in central Nebraska, and we would tell each other that Yankton would be a neat place to do ministry," he said.

Last summer, Pastor Jeff Mantz from Yankton First Assembly called Simmons and asked if he would be interested in co-pastoring with him.

"I had a peace and knew God was in this," Simmons said.

"I’m excited about the future and working together with Mikal, in this transitional period," Mantz says. "After almost 20 years of being senior pastor, I look forward to a different role in ministry

"We believe God has sent the man to take First Assembly to the next phase."

Simmons said, "My heart is to equip people to live their life on purpose and encourage them to be what God has called them to be."

He added that he desires to empower individuals to have a solid identity in Christ.

Of First Assembly, Simmons said, "We will continue to offer an amazing Sunday morning experience, with something for every age and every stage in life." This is in reference to the children’s program on Wednesdays and Sundays, youth programs on Wednesdays and the adult groups. "We don’t only have church in the church."

Simmons said several members of First Assembly have opened their homes for life groups.

First Assembly is growing and has the youth of our city, as well as the community as a whole, in mind for the near future. Under the ministry of Pastor Annette Roux, there are current plans to build a student center that will house a full-size gym, theater-style worship center and coffee house. This building, the One80 Center, will house the youth ministry on Wednesdays and Sundays, and also serve as a community center for the people of Yankton.

Of the churches in Yankton, Simmons said, "We are all the body of Christ and I look forward to coming alongside other churches in providing a positive future for Yankton."