Rev. Andrea Johnson. Dakotas Conference photo.

“It was a gym full of music majors and athletes—football, track, baseball, swimming.
What a fantastic way to connect with students and give a little levity
and encouragement going into finals week!”

Pastor Andrea Johnson,
North Highland United Methodist Church

This year at Northern State University, the movement of the Holy Spirit was present on campus—thanks to a creative partnership and the support of a Breakthrough Ministry Grant from the Dakotas Methodist Conference and Dakotas Methodist Foundation. Pastor Andrea Johnson, serving North Highland United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, S.D., spent the year working in student ministry as part of her Practical Church Leadership (PCL) program through Dakota Wesleyan University.

Early on, Pastor Andrea’s vision evolved into a partnership with Northern LuMin, the ELCA campus ministry. “This has proved to be a fantastic partnership! It was a great way to grow that ministry’s reach, collaborate with others, and work to meet the spiritual needs of students,” Pastor Andrea reflects.

CReative Outreach and Connection
The heart of the ministry was “Tell Me More Tuesdays,” a weekly table in the student center where students responded to thought-provoking questions and shared their perspectives. Each question was tied to a devotional posted on LuMin’s Instagram, sparking conversation and connection. “This was a hit and provided a space for connection and ministry to happen,” Pastor Andrea shares.

Throughout the year, students also gathered for worship, Bible study, game nights, and moments of fun and fellowship. The program wrapped by sponsoring the “Spring Surge” Wolves Pickleball Association tournament, which brought together 16 teams—music majors and athletes alike—for laughter, stress relief, and encouragement just before finals.

Lasting Impact, Thanks to Generosity
As finals week approached, the ministry team was on campus to distribute care kits assembled by a local congregation—one last touchpoint to remind students they are seen, loved, and supported.

Pastor Andrea is quick to recognize the collaborative spirit that made these moments possible: “I was able to help contribute to these activities and students’ lives thanks to North Highland being supportive of me doing this for my PCL program project, the willingness of LuMin to partner, and the support of the Breakthrough Ministries Grant through the Dakotas Conference and Foundation. Thanks to you all for the role you played in student ministries at Northern State University this 2024-2025 school year!”

A gift from NSU campus ministries at pickle ball. Photos from Andrea Johnson.

Empowering Ministries Across the Dakotas
In 2024, the Dakotas Methodist Conference and Dakotas Methodist Foundation awarded $52,650 in Breakthrough Ministry Grants to 15 churches, supporting 17 new ministries like this one.

These grants are intended to be seed money—empowering United Methodist Churches and related Ministries in the Dakotas Conference to launch new ministries or expand existing ones to reach and impact people’s lives in response to the movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Dakotas United Methodists.

At the Foundation, we believe in cultivating generosity, empowering ministry, and guiding churches and leaders to create lasting legacies of faith. Through professional investment management, planned giving services, and grant opportunities, we help ministries like North Highland UMC make an impact on young adults and campus ministry today and for generations to come.

Interested in launching or expainding a ministry in your community?
Learn more about Breakthrough Ministry Grants and how your church can apply—visit Dakotas-Minnesota Foundation website.