Out in Faith–Bakken Oil Rush ministry in Williston, North Dakota is saying goodbye to Katie Peterson, deaconess, church and community worker.  Peterson has served at Williston Faith UMC since January 2014.

Out if Faith serves those in Williston who are in need of basics items including personal care items, coats, hats and gloves, small household items and blankets. The ministry hosts a weekly meal and worship service— God in Faith Together, G.I.F.T.  Support is also given to help people connect to housing, employment and other services.

The efforts of Out in Faith have grew under the leadership of Peterson and the support of many. The Dakotas Conference has provided salary support, Williston Faith UMC has provided housing and numerous churches and individuals have donated to make the ministry happen.

July 1, 2016, Reverends Ross and Val Reinhiller began their appointment to Williston Faith UMC. Reinhillers will take on the leadership of Out in Faith. Salary support for Peterson will run out at the end of 2016.  Peterson has been assigned to a new ministry by the General Board of Global Ministries.

“We are happy to be at Faith United Methodist Church, Williston, ND. We are excited about the ministry taking place through Out in Faith. People are being reached for Christ from all walks of life,” said Pastors Ross and Val Reinhiller.

Through this transition time, the Reinhillers and Peterson, have restructured Out in Faith’s resources into new a office area. The materials that people may need, now are easy to access at any time. A mission team from Dakotas Annual Conference office helped move everything from a space on third floor, to a room right off the main office.

Photo: A mission team from the Dakotas Conference Office helped moved the resources of Out in Faith to a new location. Left to right: Bea Stucke, Doreen Gosmire, Dave Stucke and Diane Weller. Photo by Katie Peterson.

“It has been a great pleasure to be serving with you these past couple of years,” said Peterson. “I have made many new friends, learned a lot of new things (especially about oil field life), grown in my Faith walk with God more here in Williston.”

Peterson has been assigned as the director of the Eastbrook Mission Barn in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The Barn is one of nine UMCOR distribution sites throughout the United States.

“I will be working mainly with the sorting and the distributing of the kits, and will also be working with several local UMCs to assist with poverty alleviation and with drug and alcohol rehab programs. I will be moving sometime in October,” said Peterson. “Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Out in Faith ministries and for myself as your missionary.”

Photo: Volunteers at a recent G.I.F.T service celebrated and said "thank you" to Katie Peterson with a cake. Photo courtesy of Out in Faith Facebook page.

Contact information for Katie Peterson:

716 Neal St., New Castle, PA 16101, ktpete@gmail.com, advance covenant salary number 982942.

You can donate to Out In Faith Bakken Oil Rush Ministry through Dakotas Conference fund number 748.