Rev. Jan Gross

“When I think about the most fulfilling part of my ministry, it's seeing the lives that have been changed, knowing I may have played even a small role in that.” said Rev. Jan Gross, one of the Dakotas Conference elders who is retiring at this year's annual conference. 

Gross grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, and attended South Maple United Methodist Church (now Open Heart United Methodist Church) with his family. His parents made sure to make faith an important part of their family traditions and values. 

“I grew up in The United Methodist Church. When I was a baby, I was baptized at Rapid City First United Methodist Church and then we began attending South Maple when I was maybe in first or second grade,” said Pastor Jan.

He originally started ministry back at his home church, South Maple UMC, after a break from the church following high school. 

“I began being involved in ministry at South Maple and I served in a variety of ways. I was teaching Sunday school and helping with youth group, on the Administrative Board, SPRC, and a lot of the committees,” said Jan. 

Dell Rapids UMC expressing their appreciation of Pastor Jan Gross. (photo courtesy of DRUMC Facebook page)

After serving the church in many ways, Pastor Jan began to explore more central ministries within the church such as lay speaking.  

“I saw three other people from my church doing lay speaking on a regular basis at a rural church outside of Rapid City, and that kind of was another thing that helped power my call toward ministry,” said Jan.

He also expressed his gratitude for the loving, accepting community that he was able to find when he returned and started getting more involved in the church in various ways.  

“It’s one of the couple of things that were foundational in me following my calling,” he added. 

Pastor Jan also talked about the different ministries that he was able to plug into and develop his call for pastoral ministry.  

“One thing was participating in a Disciple Bible Study, led by Rev. Gene Kroger, who was the pastor there at the time,” recalled Jan. “I was also a participant on a mission trip to Haiti. Those two things, along with the lay ministry, really helped me explore my calling.” 

Making the switch from lay ministry to rooting his vocation in pastoral ministry was a big step for Gross.  

“After going to Haiti, attending Bible study, and my lay ministry, it really put it on my heart, that God is calling me,” explained Jan. “There's something more than lay ministry at the local church. I should be going into ministry as a vocational choice.” 

Pastor Jan and Deb Gross

Gross attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in religion and philosophy with a minor in social science. He then continued his education at North American Baptist Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity. During his ministry career, Jan and his wife, Deb, have served United Methodist Churches at Brothersfield, Wakonda, Irene, Viborg, Yankton, Gayville-Volin, Beresford, Hartford, and Dell Rapids.

When asked why Gross decided to remain United Methodist he said, “I relate to the theology, the practices of The United Methodist Church, and to this blend of holiness and social ministry that is part of our faith beliefs.”

One of the values of the Dakotas Annual Conference is our focus on connectionalism and  Jan shared that it has had a big impact on his ministry.  

“I've gotten to serve at several different churches and the connectionalism is a part of our identity,” said Pastor Jan. “You see it within our missions, within our collegiality of clergy and laity, and the community of the Dakotas Conference. We have this common sense of mission.” 

A piece of advice that Gross would like to give current and future clergy is to care for each other and for yourself.  

“Care for one another. Care for the people that you serve, love them,” said Pastor Jan. 

“Take advantage of all the conference opportunities, too!” he added. “Increase your personal wellness spiritually, physically, and mentally. The conference offers all kinds of opportunities to be well in ministry.” 

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