Breakthrough prayer workshop—Do you believe prayer makes a difference?  How do you know that it does?  These are just two of questions that participants attending the Breakthrough Prayer Initiative training will ponder.  The six-hour training take place at seven UMConnect sites Bismarck, Fargo, Jamestown in North Dakota and Aberdeen, Mitchell, Rapid City, Sioux Falls in  South Dakota on Sunday, August 27 at 1:30-6 p.m. CDT.  Click here for more information.  Click here to register.

Camp and Retreat Ministries seeks a project manager for marketing and outreach—The Camp and Retreat Ministries of Dakotas and Minnesota Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church are seeking a dedicated individual to help further the mission of area Camp and Retreat ministry through marketing, promotions, and volunteer engagement. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Mitchell, SD with an anticipated start date in late August or early September, 2017. The full job description can be found here. 

To apply, send a letter of interest along with a resume and salary requirements to: Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, 122 W Franklin Ave, #400, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Contact Keith Shew by e-mail, or call 612.230.6130.  Application materials accepted through Wednesday, August 9.

Young Adult ministry grants application available—Young adult ministry grants will be made to qualifying applicants from around the Dakotas Conference. The office of Leadership Development will be accepting applications until November 1st, 2017. If you have questions about this program for strengthening our conference's young adults in ministry, please contact Taya Swanson by e-mail, or by calling (605) 996-7796. To download an application, click here for a Word document   —  click here for a PDF.

Apply for a grant for a church-school partnership—Are you thinking about starting a church-school partnership? Funds from the 2017 Kids Count Miracle Offering will be awarded through the Breakthrough Ministry Grant application process.

Breakthrough Ministry Grants are offered to churches and related organizations from the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation and Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Grants will be awarded quarterly. Applications are due on January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 every year.   Click here for a grant application.

Youth ministry cohort training—The second youth cohort will begin training churches that will kick off training with training on July 29th at Dakota Wesleyan University from 9:00 am-3:30 pm CDT. Stephanie Caro, from Youth Ministry Architects will serve as the trainer.

For the youth cohort churches, the Conference is covering the cost up to four people to attend the event. This includes night’s stay at a local hotel, mileage will be covered over 300 miles round trip (150 miles each way). We encourage all to be good stewards of resources by carpooling and sharing hotel room(s) when appropriate.

If you have more than four people that would like to attend, they are more than welcome, just note that any additional costs will be covered by the church.

All churches and individuals not part of the cohort are welcomed and invited to attend, cost of the registration is $20 (includes lunch). Reading material will be available for purchase during the event for $20 (book bundle) travel and lodging will be covered by church or individual attending the event. Register here

Lay Speaking and Preaching Retreat—The second annual Lay Speaking and Preaching Retreat will be August 25-27 at Lake Poinsett Camp.  The retreat starts at 6:30 p.m. on August 25 and ends around 8:30 a.m. CDT on August, 27. The retreat is open to all who are interested in gaining experience, receiving feedback and practicing speaking and preaching in a safe and nurturing environment. Consider inviting someone you know of who may interested in the event. 

This is also a great opportunity for those seeking to renew their Lay Speaking status or to become a Certified Lay Speaker. Attending this retreat counts as advanced course credits for those to keep up their certification. Click here to register.