Dakota Wesleyan University welcomed 400 United Methodists to campus for the 32^nd Session of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. At opening worship, on Friday, June 6, at the Sherman Center, President Dan Kittle welcomed everyone and shared an inspirational message.

“When I heard, we were going to host you on campus I was filled with honor and joy,” said Dan Kittle, President, Dakota Wesleyan University. “Dakota Wesleyan University is your university. I welcome you home.”
 

Kittle shared a story about a recent trip to Uganda with As One Ministry. He was asked to give a message during worship. At that moment President Kittle reflected on how we are all one body connected by God’s love.

“I was 8,000 miles from home. I thought about connectedness. The church is not a location. It is not limited by borders. It is not divided by language or culture. We are one church, one family. We are a living expression of God’s love in the world,” Kittle said. “We are a universal church. We must serve the church and all of God’s people. That is what this conference is about to remind us about who we are and whose we are and to rekindle our love for God. A love that calls us into bold and faithful action.”

Sharing the words of 1 John 4, President Kittle, spoke about three ways we understand and live out God’s love. Love is active. Love is a vocation. Love is transformative.

Love is not merely felt. It is lived and shown through our choices, our relationships and commitments. It is an active part of how we live our lives.
 

“As we often say, love is more than words,” President Kittle stated.

God created each of us for a vocation. Love is something we were meant to become and express through the work of our lives. Our roles as parent, grandparents, professional, and neighbors permeates God’s love throughout our lives.

“This idea of love as a vocation is something that we understand. We experience love throughout our roles. It is part of our culture,” Kittle shared.

Love is transformative through relationships and through systems. Transformative love shapes our culture and values.

“True love doesn’t rest until it’s values shape the communities we build, the decisions we make, and the injustices we seek to remedy,” Kittle stated. “I believe that is what John Wesley meant by social holiness.”

Universities and the church are partners in the vision to raise leaders who live out transformative love through social holiness.

“We must prepare and shape people for lives of meaning and service. That is our shared commitment,” said Dr. Kittle. “Lives that seek social holiness. Lives that realize the connectedness of the world. To recognize and remedy those needs and injustices we must have United Methodist institutions that are deeply committed to this work. DWU does this with distinction, preparing young people for lives of leadership and service as an expression of their faith.”

Rev. Joel Allen, read the scripture, 1 John 4, from The Saint John’s Bible. The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition is a remarkable treasure, inspired by the first handwritten and illuminated Bible in over 500 years. Only 299 copies have been produced and the set housed at DWU is the only one in the Dakotas. Attendees were invited view the Bible, housed at the McGovern Library.

Musicians during opening worship, led by Pastor. Brandon Dunham included students from DWU and Fusion Church, a UMC that meets on campus.

DWU is offering tours throughout the Dakotas Annual Conference session. The campus is also throwing a party on the lawn on Friday evening, June 6.

Rekindling God's Love: DWU President Dan Kittle