Pastor Holly Sortland, Rapid City Open Heart UMC (formerly South Maple UMC), received one of the 2017 Denman Awards for Evangelism. Photos by David Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

Several awards will be announced at annual conference. Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards:

Denman Award for Evangelism— The Harry Denman Evangelism Award program honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of evangelism – expressed in Word (what), Sign (why), and Deed (how) – brings people into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Three awards are given annually one for clergy, one for laity and one for youth.  Click here for details.  

Pastor Cory Thrall (right), Center United Methodist Church, receives the 2017 One Matters award from Rev. Junius Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries.

Francis Asbury— The Francis Asbury Award offered through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) recognition to individuals who have made a significant contribution to fostering the church's ministries in higher education at the local, district, or annual conference level of the church. The award is named for Bishop Asbury and is based on his admonition to the people called Methodist to erect a school in the vicinity of every church. "We must," he said, "...give the key of knowledge to your children, and those of the poor in the vicinity of your small towns and villages."

One Matters— The One Matters Award is offered through Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.  The award recognizes churches in each conference that are turning zeros into positive numbers with a renewed focus on discipleship.

Bishop Bruce R. Ough congratulates Pastor Susan Jennys, 2017 Streams of Justice Award winner, at annual conference in Bismarck, ND.

Streams of Justice— The Stream of Justice award is dedicated to ministries on Native American reservations, local churches and outreach centers in communities (rural and urban), and state-wide and regional organizations which have programs that offer components of justice education, advocacy and empowerment in addition to material assistance and spiritual support. Click here for more information on this award.

UPDATE:  If you know of a church or individual who is deserving of one of these awards, please submit your nominations to Rebecca Trefz via e-mail here by March 21, 2018.  Read about last year’s award winners here.