The Dakotas Conference effort to start a new church in Watford City, ND has hit the pause button.  Pastor Alyssa Quade, who has been leading the efforts to start a new church in the Bakken oil region, has experienced the growth and transient culture of the area.

“It has been an exciting, extraordinary time to be in ministry in Watford City,” said Quade. “We have been able to meet so many people and bring them to Jesus, including people who have always been a part of a church, those who have been hurt by the church and some who are meeting Jesus for the first time.” Photo: Watford City HS Homecoming parade Sept. 15, 2016, by Doreen Gosmire, Dakotas UMC.

Alyssa and husband John spent the past several months connecting with the people in Watford City.  The town has grown from a population of 1,400 in 2010 to a population of 10,000 today.  “We have met so many people. I was able to start a men’s small group and it was great,” said John.

“We have been pastoring to the town,” said Alyssa.  The couple would reach out to people wherever they went - the grocery store, at local events and through social media.  “We contacted  and connected with people in whatever way we could, in the grocery store, Facebook and texting,” said the Quades.

Several small groups and a core group of leaders evolved and will continue for example —“Men’s Hiking Group” and “Beauty, Business & the Bible.”  Stephanie Davis, a leader and small group member of the church plant said, “A lot of seeds have been planted. Alyssa and others have helped people to feel comfortable with church.  It is not been the traditional church as many people may know and expect.”

One reality of the region is that there have been many people coming and going.  Quade has experienced the start and stop of a core group for the new church plant three times.  “We get going and we lose people,” said Alyssa. “You know the people reached here, that move on, are not lost souls. They are reaching out and continuing somewhere else, but they are not staying here.” Rather than push forward with a transient environment the Quades have discerned the time has come to step back.  Photo: Mothers march in the parade pushing their young children in strollers ath the Watford City HS Homecoming parade Sept. 15, 2016, by Doreen Gosmire, Dakotas UMC.

Watford City is the heart of McKenzie County, which is currently home to 60% of the oil production in North Dakota.  Gene Veeder, economic development director for McKenzie County, describes the current situation as one of growth that is manageable.

“We are still experiencing growth in McKenzie County,” said Veeder. “Before the oil price dropped we were experiencing extraordinary, out-of-control growth. Now we are experiencing stable growth. The people who are here or coming will be the workforce that stays.”

“What happens next is obviously in the hands of God,” said Ben Ingebretson, director of new church plants for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area. “We are grateful for the work of Pastor Alyssa, her husband John and all of those in Watford City for their work in making disciples.” 

For now, Pastor Alyssa is stepping away from the new church plant in Watford City. She will remain in Watford City in other employment. The conference will continue to monitor and assess the situation in Watford City and the Bakken oil region, and work to continue the efforts started and supported by so many.