Candidates for Full Membership Martin Avery
Martin shared this scripture in a recent sermon: “Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6: 47-51 Martin grew up in Redfield, South Dakota. After attending college at the University of South Dakota, he returned to Redfield and eventually became involved in the United Methodist Church as a lay leader and worked with youth. He went on mission trips to Haiti with the Solar Oven Partners and to Costa Rica. While on these mission trips, Martin clearly heard his call to ministry. Martin seeks to meet people where they are in his ministry. He finds himself being led by the Holy Spirit as he reaches out with others to serve in the community. He continually seeks to listen for where God could best use his gifts and talents. Martin places his trust in God and seeks God’s guidance to grow in faith. He served in Wessington Springs from 2012-2015. In 2015 he moved to Fargo to serve at West Fargo Flame of Faith. In 2018, he served as an interim pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Richland and Colfax, North Dakota. Pastor Martin is currently serving at Canaan Moravian near Davenport, North Dakota. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Iliff. Martin also obtained a Master of Arts in Leadership from the University of Jamestown in 2019. He has a three children Rider, Evin and Addison. He enjoys spending time with his children, family, reading and music.
Jeff Lathrop Jeff’s favorite scripture verse is, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:8-10 Jeff is currently serving at Grand Forks Wesley. He has served the congregations of Plankinton, White Lake, and Huron First in the Dakotas Conference. Jeff also serves as the chair for the Dakotas Conference Committee on Youth Ministry (CCYM). Jeff holds a Master of Divinity from Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
extended by believers.
He first felt his call at church camp. He was afforded the opportunity to attend camp by his church. It was there he first understood who Jesus was and felt the love of Jesus. His faith has been strengthened by various struggles in life and love
He is married to Holly, and they have four children. His hobbies are reading, walking, meditating, writing, and blogging.
Jordan Louks Jordan recited this scripture in a recent sermon: “We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day” 2 Corinthians 4: 14-16
Westminster Place.
He currently serves as an associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He previously served the Dakotas Conference at Ethan and Alexandria. Jordan is a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill. While attending Garrett-Evangelical, Jordan served as a chaplain intern at the
A graduate of Black Hills State University, with Bachelor of Science degrees in History and Political Science, Jordan grew a passion to learn about cultures and strives for justice for all peoples. His degrees have helped shape his desire to learn more and discover who he will be in ministry. He enjoys music, playing the piano, trumpet, and guitar. Jordan likes to read and explore nature. He likes board games and spending time with family, especially his wife Alyssa.
38
