The Good Road in the Badlands…

 Over four days this past month, I had the privilege of serving Jesus at Chanku Waste Ranch with wonderful servants of Christ from Hills of Grace Fellowship, Rapid City and Connections Church, Spearfish. Chanku Waste Ranch is located near Porcupine on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. It serves the community through a variety of ministries, such as wellness services, and housing assistance. They also sponsor an all-summer camp program for youth ages 4–17 in a safe and biblically-rooted environment for recreation, learning, and opportunity to hear the gospel.

When I first heard of “Chanku Waste (pronounced “chahnkoo washtay”), it sounded to me like a slang phrase or a name of a town, but I have learned that it has its roots in the Lakota language and culture. It generally translates to “good road” or “good place.” It reflects an idea of a place focused on physical and spiritual wellbeing. It is therefore befitting that the motto of this place of refuge is “The Good Roads in the Badlands”.

It is a Good Road because it leads to Jesus.

As Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction… But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This narrow road, “the good road” is the path of the gospel. It is the road that leads to life, because it leads to Christ. And for those who walk it, it becomes both a testimony and an invitation. For those who understand the geography of the Dakotas, they will agree that indeed there are many roads. The Badlands where “Chanku Waste is located, are one of the most beautiful God’s gift of nature. Within the area, there are also countless crossroads; some are paved, some are not. Some are very visible, some foggy. Some straight, some winding. Some wide and some narrow. This is exactly how it is in every life. There are countless roads and crossroads. Decisions both great and small compel us to choose a direction. As we make these decisions, the way forward could be obscured by fog, uncertainty, or temptation. But there is always a path, we might call “The Good Road”. In a noisy world filled with distractions, opinions, and broken promises, God’s people hold something profoundly beautiful that the broken world urgently needs: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet too often, this good news remains inside the walls of the church rather than being carried boldly into the “Good Road”-  the streets, workplaces, neighborhoods, and nations.

The Church Is a Guidepost on the Good Road

The local church is not just a gathering place — it is a mission outpost. I love the sign boldly written at the exit of one of our Dakota churches, it reads “Now you are Entering the Harvest Field”. Every church, regardless of its size, resources or location, is called to be a guidepost pointing clearly and compassionately directing the lost to the Good Road. Leading people to the Good Road through evangelism is not optional for the Church; it is essential. Jesus’ command was, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). The church is called to Go and that “Go” is not just for pastors, missionaries, or evangelists. It’s for every believer. Together, we are stewards of the message that leads to “The Good Road” and life and that message must be shared.

The Joy of Leading and Guiding Others to the Road

Listening to Matt, Chad, Sarah, Amanda, and Maddie and other wonderful people who are serving at Chanku Waste share their joy of seeing restoration and transformation in the lives of the children and people that have walked and experienced “The Good Roads” motivates and inspires me to TELL of Jesus – The Good Road. There is no greater joy for a church than to see people come to Christ, to see lives being restored and transformed. To see wandering hearts find the road that leads home. Every testimony, every baptism, every transformation is a reminder that the Good Road is still open, still available, and still powerful. When churches embrace evangelism as a joy, not a burden, they reflect the heart of Jesus — the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. One of the “God moments” for me during the week was seeing names of wonderful children of God written on the walls of the assembly point. We gathered each morning to pray, not for ourselves, but for each name on the wall. It reminded me of how much God intentionally loves us to the extent that our names are inscribed in the palm of his hands.

The Good Road is beautiful, but it will come at a cost

I will be honest: the Good Road is not easy. It requires sacrifice, humility, and dying to self. Over the four days, I watched people gave their all and pour out themselves to others without any expectation of any earthly reward. Guiding others to the “Good Road” will drain us physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. This reminds me of the encounter Christ had with the woman with issues of blood in Luke 8:43-48. Despite the pressing of the crowd, Jesus could still notice that something had drained power out of Him. Guiding people on the Good Road will take its toll on us. We will meet those that will drain and exhaust our life battery, but it’s also filled with peace, purpose, and joy. As we walk it, we discover that Jesus is not only the destination — He is the road itself. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6). To walk with Him is to walk the Good Road.

Finally, I encourage us not just to see “The Good Road” as a mere metaphor, but a way of Christian life. The Church must never forget its mission. We are not just travelers on the Good Road — we are servants on that road, serving as guides, witnesses, and invitation-bearers.

Now is not the time to play it safe or stay silent. The world is searching for the Good Road from many other confusing roads, and the good news is, that the Good Road is still open. It is time for the Church to rise up and say with joy and boldness: “Come travels with us. There is peace and joy on this road.”

Segun Adeyemo is an evangelism intern for the Dakota Baptist Convention.

The local church is not just a gathering place — it is a mission outpost. I love the sign boldly written at the exit of one of our Dakota churches, it reads “Now you are Entering the Harvest Field”.