Attendees at the 2025 Annual Conference experienced the theme—“Created to Love Boldly” — throughout the three-day event, which was hosted by Dakota Wesleyan University, Fusion Church, and Downtown First United Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota. 

For the first time in decades, the Dakotas Annual Conference held their session at Dakota Wesleyan University. Many attendees have fond memories of being students on campus or attending conference events in Mitchell, South Dakota. 

“DWU really rolled out the red carpet. Their hospitality was outstanding,” said Al Roll, Annual Conference coordinator for the Dakotas Conference.

A lawn party with hamburgers, hot dogs, games, conversation, and great weather highlighted Friday evening. DWU also provided banana splits.

“People enjoyed the opportunity to visit, wander around campus, and just be together,” said Roll.

Worship and plenary sessions were held in the Sherman. New this year were classroom tables that allowed for more space to move around, including access to microphones, the stage, and other tables. Entry and exit to the ample space flowed well.

“The Lunch-N-Learn sessions were very well attended. People were excited to get to each of the sessions. We had great presenters,” shared Roll.

Ten separate Lunch-N-Learn sessions were held. Five held on Friday, June 6, were:

• Seeing and Meeting Needs for Connection, by Brian Lokken, Development Director for Life Quest Foundation, and members of the conference disability ministries committee.
• Cultivating Stewardship, Jim Ducker, Dakotas Conference Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Rev. Bob Ruedebusch, retired clergy, and Diane Weller, Dakotas-Minnesota Methodist Foundation
• Generation Alpha and the Churches Generation Omega, Chris Wilkerson, Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church
• Guarded Hearts and Minds, Rev. Ron Olson, Parker and Hurley UMC, and Diane Owen, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Director of Clergy Well-Being
• Lament, Forgiveness, and Healing, Julie Stoll, Faulkton UMC 

The five Lunch-N-Learn sessions held on Saturday, June 7, were:

• Volunteers in Motion of The United Methodist Church, Tammy Kunz, Northwest Jurisdiction VIM Coordinator
• Amplify Media, Beata Ferris, Discipleship Coordinator, Pierre, South Dakota
• Everyday Disciples, Chris Wilkerson, Discipleship Ministries The United Methodist Church
•  Dream Forward, Rev. Kori Lehrkamp, Evergreen UMC, Wahpeton, North Dakota, and Rev. Cory Thall, Legacy UMC, Bismarck, North Dakota.
• God In All Things, Rev. Dr. Tim Eberhart, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

The Dakotas Conference and many other annual conferences of The United Methodist Church in the United States have transitioned the location of their annual conference sessions to meet the needs of the conference and be good stewards of resources. 

“We estimate a savings of $20,000 because of DWU generosity, the teamwork of the staff, and the Mitchell community, especially Fusion Church and Mitchell Downtown First UMC, providing equipment and services,” said Roll.

The 32nd session of The Dakotas Annual Conference ends on Sunday, June 8, with the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service at 10 a.m. at Downtown First UMC. Eighteen clergy, clergy spouses, and staff who have passed away will be memorialized, seven retiring clergy will be recognized, four local licensed pastors will be recognized for ministry milestones, five clergy will be commissioned, and five will be ordained.