“Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.           Luke 15:4-7  CEB

Revs. Bryan Tener and Kris Mutzenberger present the One Matters Award to Minot Faith and Des Lacs laity.

In God’s eye, no step is too small, no disciple is insignificant, and every step of faith matters. That’s why we honor one Dakotas Conference church (or parish) each year with the One Matters Award. Because one always matters.

Rev. Bryan Tener of UMC Discipleship Ministries and Conference Superintendent Kris Mutzenberger presented this year’s One Matters Award to the United Methodist congregations of Minot Faith and Des Lacs, in North Dakota. The presentation was made during Annual Conference plenary at Bismarck Legacy UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota.

In 2022, leaders at Minot Faith UMC/Des Lacs UMC made a simple but important decision. They chose to wait so that when confirmation began, there would be enough young people to form a meaningful class. When the time came for the class to begin in 2024, God had been at work. Faith welcomed five students. Des Lacs, through the addition of a new family, also welcomed five students, including a college student who had missed confirmation during COVID.

Ten students. Different ages. Different schools. Yet one class. Learning, growing, and building community together.

And it didn’t stop there. At Faith, two younger siblings, watching their older siblings involved in confirmation, asked to be baptized. Four children in one family marked significant faith milestones in a single year.

That’s what “One Matters” looks like. It looks like a church that notices who is there, creates space for people to say yes to God, helps them to grow, and trusts that God is transforming lives.

Minot Faith and Des Lacs—thank you for seeing these young people, for walking with them, and for creating a community where faith can take root.

Two representatives from the Minot Faith / Des Lacs parish were on hand to receive the award at Annual Conference.

See the One Matters Award presentation here.