“One life transformed; one life matters to God. One life matters to us. One life matters in the name of Jesus Christ.” These are the words of Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Northeast District Superintendent, who presented the One Matters Award to Drayton and Pembina United Methodist Churches during the 2022 Dakotas Annual Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Drayton and Pembina United Methodist Churches are served by Rev. Gary Johnson, retired licensed local pastor. For the first time in five years, these congregations had confirmation classes. Young people professed their faith in Christ. There are seven young people newly committed to a life of faith. 

“Seven newly committed young people is a reason for celebrating, is it not,” said Mutzenberger. “Pastor Gary has also shared with me that there has also been a recent rash of baptisms.” 

The One Matters Discipleship Award was created in 2015 to celebrate churches that have in recent years moved from zero baptisms and zero professions of faith into positive numbers as they began to focus on intentional discipleship. In addition to the One Matters Discipleship plaque, Drayton UMC and Pembina UMC were awarded $500 to encourage the continuation of their work in discipleship. 

The award recognizes that moving from zero to one represents a life transformed by the grace of God, a life that matters to God, and a life that matters to us. Each one matters. The award celebrates baptisms and professions of faith.

One matters; your community and church matter. Congratulations to the Drayton and Pembina UMCs!