Over the course of the summer, we will be highlighting the clergy who were ordained and commissioned at the 2025 Dakotas Annual Conference. 

Pastor Teresa and members of Huron Riverview accept the Wesleyan Way Award in 2024.

A lifelong United Methodist, Teresa’s vocational ministry journey began in the area of music, where she served in music ministry for over 20 years—a natural extension of her Bachelor of Music Education degree from South Dakota State University. It was during those two decades at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, South Dakota, that the Spirit began to stir within her and expand her calling into pastoral ministry.

After conversations with trusted mentors, Teresa echoed the words of the hymn she had likely sung many times, “Here I Am Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart…” 

In 2020, God led Teresa to accept a pastoral appointment at Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron, S.D., and Virgil United Methodist Church. Following a significant increase in membership, Teresa transitioned to a full-time role at Riverview in 2023.   

Ministry fun at Barbie-themed youth girls night at Riverview.

Knowing the transforming power of saying “Yes” to God, Pastor Teresa loves partnering with the Spirit in helping others do the same. 

“I love seeing people light up and plug into their passions, getting to help activate that, and then stepping out of the way,” described Pastor Teresa.

As Teresa and her congregation have welcomed newcomers – unchurched, de-churched, and transfers – she has seen the power of including others.

“We want people to feel connected and know they have a place to belong,” said Pastor Teresa.  New ministries, such as Sip-n-Scripture, have been helpful vehicles for embodying the value of welcome and inclusion. 

Ministry—and following Jesus in general—is not without its challenges. The polarizing nature of the culture can find its way into the church and raise fear and anxiety. Pastor Teresa sees the value of helping people stay centered and not swing to extremes, especially when things like social media fuel those anxious fires.  

“Just showing people that middle way, which really is the Jesus way, and just helping people not freak out about politics or the economy, reminding them that Jesus is there with us through any storm of life,” described Pastor Teresa. “Jesus always makes a way forward, and we can’t lose sight of that.” 

It is that hope, even amidst the challenges of ministry and of the world, that fuels Teresa’s fire for ministry and outlook for the future.  

Pastor Teresa at a recent Sip & Scripture gathering.

“It was an unfortunate thing that happened with Huron First disaffiliating,” explained Pastor Teresa. “But the whole situation that we have going here gives me hope for our whole denomination. There are still people who are choosing to be United Methodist and who are finding their place here and in other places. It would have been really easy for people to become ‘dones.’ So, the situation that we have here of the warm welcome that the people of Riverview are giving to all sorts of wonderful people who are finding their way here gives me hope.” 

Pastor Teresa also feels that hope for the Dakotas Conference as a whole.  

“Being at Annual Conference made me so proud of our connection,” said Pastor Teresa. “The Dakotas really lives out how to connect. We need to lean into that and into each other because no one has to walk alone.” 

When asked how her Dakotas Conference family can be praying for her as she begins this next chapter of her ministry, Pastor Teresa replied, “Pray that I will have open eyes, open ears, and an open heart to truly perceive the needs around me so that I can engage myself and others in active ministry as the hands and feet of Christ.”