Rev. Andrea Johnson (photos by jlynn studios)

“I didn’t grow up going to church as a normal part of my life. The summer before I started high school, a friend invited me to attend youth group at her church. I went and checked it out. I became involved in youth group, and faith became important. My relationship with Jesus became a thing,” said Rev. Andrea Johnson, who was received as an elder at the 2026 Celebration of Life in Ministry Service.

During that June 7th service in Bismarck, North Dakota, Johnson was recognized as a full clergy member of the Dakotas Conference. Clergy from other denominations may have their orders recognized by the clergy members in full connection of the annual conference after examination of their credentials by the bishop and Board of Ordained Ministry.

Growing up in the Twin Cities, at the age of 5, she was baptized in a Methodist congregation that her grandparents attended. At Christmas, her family would attend church with her grandparents.

Other than Christmas, Johnson did not attend church. The summer before high school, a friend invited her to attend a youth group at a church.  Johnson found herself wanting to connect with others at the youth group and get involved. It was there that she saw that religion made a difference in the lives of others and could make a difference for her. The youth group that led her to know Jesus was not unique.

“It was a small group. I always knew there was something different about the people in the group. It became obvious to me through the people and the group activities that Christ was real, and faith was important,” said Rev. Johnson. “I felt accepted. I didn’t have to put on a show or be someone else.”

After high school, she attended the University of Minnesota-Moorhead, earning an associate’s degree in business. She married and moved to Sioux Falls. Her husband attended seminary and entered ministry for a short time, then pursued other careers. Pastor Andrea worked with people with special needs at Southeastern Behavioral Health.

“I did some youth ministry training, and did some part-time work in youth ministry. I also served as a worship leader part-time, but I kept putting off my call to ministry,” said Pastor Andrea.

She knew that to go to seminary, she had to complete a four-year degree. Pastor Andrea went back to school to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls.

“I was always coming up with excuses. When I finished my four-year degree, I didn’t have that excuse anymore. So, I headed to Sioux Falls Seminary,” shared Pastor Andrea.

She was part of the Evangelical Covenant denomination, which ordains women. Johnson found herself ordained in the ECA. However, she did not receive a call from a congregation.

“The churches decide who they were going to call. I would get interviews but never receive a call,” explained Pastor Andrea.

Discouraged, she checked the job listing at the seminary. First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls posted a job for Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry.

“I checked the job listing and saw the posting from First UMC. I brought my credentials to the church one day. The next day, [Rev.] Bob Ruedebusch called me for an interview. Within a week, I started work at First UMC,” stated Pastor Andrea. “I ended up juggling two full-time jobs for two months.”

Johnson was encouraged to get more involved in The United Methodist Church. Her qualifications, passion for Jesus, and experience served as a nudge to transfer her ordination credentials to the Dakotas Conference.

Her mentors in transferring her orders were Revs. Bob Ruedebusch and Sara Nelson. “They really encouraged me and were there for me throughout the entire process,” said Pastor Andrea.

The process to transfer orders from another denomination in The United Methodist Church is like the requirements for candidates to become an elder and full clergy member of the annual conference.

“It was a detailed process. I filled out the paperwork and met the requirements to become a provisional member. Then, for three years, I took classes and fulfilled the requirements to become a full member,” she said.`
 

Rev. Andrea Johnson responds to questions during the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service.

Pastor Andrea is happy in ministry and loves serving a congregation. After serving at Sioux Falls First UMC, she was appointed to North Highland United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

“It is inspiring to see lives changed. I love the variety that serving a church brings. There is no shortage of variety in ministry. I deal with a lot of different ages. The congregation I serve has a lot of older members at Sunday worship. I am part of campus ministry at Northern. I do the youth ministry at North Highland. The variety of being involved with people at different ages and stages of life is inspiring.”

Campus ministry is a collaborative ministry of North Highland UMC, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and Northern State University. Once a week, Pastor Andrea sets up a table in the student center at NSU. She has a question of the day. Students stop by the table to see what the question of the day is and interact with Pastor Andrea. Questions like, “If you could be famous for something, what would it be? Or what is something that you lost that you still think about?” Sometimes she will give an item away.

“They come and interact. They see what the question of the day is, and the conversation starts. Sometimes I give away an item. During Lent, we had a theme of no plastics. So, I gave away bamboo cutlery sets and reusable straws,” Pastor Andrea shared. “The questions are across the board–  some serious, some ridiculous. I ask for prayer requests, and those can be deep.”

At the end of the academic year, Pastor Andrea conducted a survey to see what the students would like to see happening in campus ministry.

“Every student that responded said they wanted me to come each week to campus and connect. They look forward to the connection and conversation. We also do grocery bingo, worship twice a year, and we do Bible studies,” said Pastor Andrea. “The students like the weekly connection at the table in the student center. Conversations can be ridiculous and serious. They know that they can connect on their way to lunch or class. Students are crazy busy.”

North Highland UMC hosts a dinner for the NSU football team twice a year. It provides the football players with an off-campus activity, and the members of the congregation enjoy connecting with the NSU football players. Pastor Andrea connects with some of the players when she is on campus.

Rev. Andrea Johnson is recognized as a elder and full-member of the Dakotas Conference.

One of the differences that Pastor Andrea is experiencing at North Highland UMC from her experience at Sioux Falls First UMC is staffing.

“At Sioux Falls First, there are staff who lead specific ministries and roles. At North Highland, I am the only staff person. It really becomes a balancing act with your time. There are great volunteers that do a lot of stuff. It is a different dynamic,” Pastor Andrea explained.

As she journeys forward in ministry, Pastor Andrea is being intentional about balance. She is taking time to be with family and travel.

“I have never been good about taking vacation. When I was appointed to North Highland, I set a goal to be intentional about taking vacation. My parents live in South Carolina. It is fun to visit them. My son is looking at graduate school. I have visited programs with him out east. I am going on the Wesley Pilgrimage to New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Those are some things that will be interesting and keep me in balance,” said Pastor Andrea.