What does it mean to “Be UMC?” In a recent campaign, we were asked this simple, eloquent question. What does it mean to you to “Be UMC?”

In a nutshell, it means demonstrating faithfulness, leadership, and impact that reflect the mission of The United Methodist Church: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

To honor the exemplary efforts of just a few of our United Methodists, each year one clergy and one layperson from each UMC conference receive the #BeUMC Award.

The persons chosen from the nominees to receive this year’s #BeUMC awards are, for clergy, Rev. Bennett Clough, serving Faulkton United Methodist Church, and for laity, Julia Jones, of Pierre First United Methodist Church. These recipients demonstrate a commitment to discipleship, service, and leadership, embodying the transformational ministry to which United Methodists are called.

Rev. Bennett Clough with volunteers at Faulkton UMC.

Rev. Clough, who moved from Georgia to the Dakotas just last year, is living into the Dakotas United Methodist connection in Faulkton and some outlying communities.

“Well, my nearest colleague in terms of like our denominational system is Gettysburg, 50 minutes away, said Rev. Clough. “I know that's not a big distance for you guys out here, but it's still different. So you have to have that connectionalism.”

Clough was looking forward to coming to the Dakotas to follow his calling, and yet remain in the fold of a denomination that means so much more than a name to him.

“Being United Methodist, obviously it's a denominational affiliation, right? But I think one thing we try to emphasize is that it's not just a name we're associated with. It is a way of living out Christ’s call or claim on our lives. You know, the Three Simple Rules distill things down, but in a really manageable way: ‘Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.’”

Pastor Bennett is serving the Faulkton church, but also joined two area volunteer fire departments, and started worship services in Seneca, South Dakota, where several churches had closed, leaving the community with no church at all. In the tradition of the Wesleyan Circuit Riders, Clough is traveling, meeting people where they are, and sharing the gospel with those who need to hear it most… outside the church walls.

Julia Jones is a long-time member of Pierre First United Methodist Church, where over 11 years ago Pastor Dan Bader came to her with a suggestion. He asked if she would lead a mission team to the Dominican Republic. After her initial denial, she answered the call with an enthusiasm that enriches the lives and faith journeys of all those involved. Today, Jones continues that work, partnering with the Dominican Evangelical Church and the Bahia Linda (which translates to Beautiful Bay) Camp in the Dominican Republic.

The 2015 mission group led by Julia Jones.

Rev. Bader introduced her award with these words. “She has served with Pastor Erasmo Figaro, the UMVIM partner in the country, with medical teams and, most recently, with construction teams as they prepare a camp for young people based on UMC camping in the Dakotas. Julia's connections in the Dominican Republic exemplify the nature of UMVIM to build lasting relationships as she empowers volunteers to meet the needs of the communities with which they serve. This mission spirit embraces the United Methodist Church mission and vision to "love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”

In her acceptance speech, Jones shared her gratitude for the people she has met in the mission field, especially Don and Gloria Borgman who mentored her. She also encouraged new volunteers to join her on the next mission trip in November.

“I really want to thank the people of the Dominican Republic who have become family to me,” she said, “and to those who go with us. And I encourage you to come with us sometime. It's such a joy to do mission with them because they are all in.”

She went on to describe the way these mission trips are truly different from other mission trips. “What we do is Dominican-led, Dominican-dreamed, and we come alongside, and that's the way I like to do missions.”

You can see the award presentations made at Annual Conference Sessions in Bismarck, North Dakota here.

You can watch a video interview with Rev. Clough here.