Ten Dakotas Conference churches will receive $70,200 of funding to engage young adults in ministry and grow spiritually.

A subcommittee of the Developing Missional Leaders Link reviewed applications to make the awards. The selection committee included: Rev. Justin Iverson, Arthur UMC; Rev. Kori Lehrkamp, Box Elder, Edgemont and Pringle UMC;  Rev. Jeff Lathrop, Huron UMC;  Rev. Taylor Johnson, Sioux Falls First UMC; Beata Ferris, Pierre First UMC; Deb Kjerstad, Dakotas Conference director of leadership development.

“The team looked for applicants who were developing ministries for outreach to and leadership development with young adult and college age populations. Proposed ministries ranged from the development of new outreach ministries on college campuses to assisting worshipping communities with upgrades to worship spaces to better reach young adults.,” said Rev. Justin Iverson, who served as chair of the subcommittee. “Monies come from the Conference apportioned budget and from the campus ministries endowment fund that are managed by the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation.”

Here is a list of the 2017 recipients:

Arthur UMC—Arthur UMC hopes to improve various technologies around the church in order to improve the worship experience and reach out to young adults and young families.

Beresford Zion UMC—Zion UMC will expand the AWANA program. The goal for the future is creating a plan with the church to keep the program funded so that every child who wants to participate can do sp free of charge. Ultimately, the goal is that unchurched families will connect with a church through this ministry.

Brookings First UMC—Brookings First UMC hopes to develop three to five key leaders a semester from the South Dakotas State University campus. The goal is to have each leader engaging up to 15 to 20 students in a ministry relationship. Training and support will be provided to student leaders to help grow the ministries that they engage in.

Fargo First African UMC— First African UMC seeks to provide for the transportation needs for the First African United Methodist Church (FAUMC) children's ministry. FAUMCis a new church start, located at Calvary United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota. FAUMC congregation is made of new Americans from six African nations within the Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN areas. FAUMC has a unique children’s ministry that is rapidly growing in numbers. There are currently about 43 children who are part of the children’s program with at least 25-35 of them attending regular Sunday worship service.

Madison UMC—Madison UMC is serving over 100 young adults and high school students each week through small groups and Pastor Charlie Moore's presence at Dakota State University and the local high school.

Photo: Rev. Charlie Moore, leads a group of football players through a book discussion at Dakota State University. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC—Canyon Lake UMC will launch “Emerge”. “Emerge” is a young adult ministry that will meet people where they are, with weekly gatherings to study and explore contemporary moral and theological issues. The hope is to have a small group of 10-15 young who meet weekly, connect to the church and community.

Sioux Falls First UMC —First UMC will reach out to college students in the area by offering a place to hang out. Sunday nights from 6-9 pm the multi-purpose room at Sioux Falls First is a place for students to study and get some free food. Students are required to bring their student ID and are offered homemade soup donated by church members, fresh baked bread and cookies, coffee, tea, and are able to set up to study in a quiet, comfortable atmosphere. Each week the church gives away Starbucks gift cards to encourage attendance, as well as a larger Visa gift card the week of finals.

Rapid City South Maple UMC—South Maple UMC has created a partnership with the South Dakota School of Mines football team, the “Hardrockers.”  The congregation serves meals to the football team before their home games and prepares snacks to send with them on the road. The football team engages in various service projects for the church and community. The partnership is a witness of God’s love with no bounds.

Photo: South Maple UMC volunteers offer home cooking and hospitality to 90-100 Hardrocker, football team members on Friday evenings before every home game., Although members and friends donate time and food, the project is assisted by a Dakotas Conference grant for young adult ministries. Photo by Rev. John McKnight.

Spearfish UMC —Spearfish UMC reaches out to the students at Black Hills State University through weekly fellowship meals, a leadership retreat at Storm Mountain, a mission trip, monthly fellowship events such as a movie night, and also sponsoring “laundry nights” for college students.

West Fargo Flame of Faith UMC—Flame of Faith will be launching a new worship service designed to reach out to young adults in the West Fargo area.  The worship service will utilize new technology and seek leaders for small groups.