Pastor Sharla McCaskell from Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church brings  grace and compassion to all her relationships by extending warmth and a welcoming spirit to everyone. Pastor Sharla has a gift for planting visions of what the church could be, and then praising the congregation for making those dreams come into being. 

Photo: Bishop Ough presents the Harry Denman Evangelism Award to Rev. Sharla McCaskell, Rapid City Knowall Heights UMC, at 2016 Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, SD.

Rev. Sharla McCaskell was the clergy recipient of the Harry Denman Award for Evangisim at the Dakotas Annual Conference held in Sioux Falls, SD on June 9-11, 2016.

McCaskell’s  "you  can do it" coaching has brought this Knollwood Heights from being a part of a two-point parish to a stand-alone parish. After several years of encouragement and salary support from the annual conference, Knollwood Heights became fully self-supporting in 2015.

“Her leadership in worship is bright, encouraging and invitational—urging everyone to ‘taste and see that God is good.’ Her passion for Christ and others also comes through in the Bible studies she leads in and outside the church, “ wrote Luann Brownson, chairperson of the Knollwood Heights Staff Parish Relations committee in here nomination statement.

Signs of growth in numbers and spirit are everywhere in this small congregation: eleven baptisms in one family last year, eight youth in confirmation this year, children and young adults in worship, an 18% increase in giving in one year, new people being welcomed and incorporated, and church leadership inspired to pray about adding a second worship service—something that hasn't happen in nearly 30 years.

Like Harry Denman, McCaskell not only works with a variety of group settings, but also spends significant time counseling and coaching individuals who come to her for help.  With compassionate understanding and guidance she shares with those in the deepest distresses of life letting them know of Christ's love for them. With positive encouragement she will say, "Let something good come from this."

“Pastor Sharla McCaskell truly is an outstanding ambassador for Christ, and the members and friends of Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church are blessed and grateful for her gifted leadership,” said Brownson.