Provisional candidates biographies 36-37 Full member candidates biographies

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.

extended by believers.

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.

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.

Westminster Place.

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

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

Three scripture passages that are favorites for Jennifer McDonald are: Psalm 51: 10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

Psalm 139:1-8 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.”

Job 28:38 “And he said to humankind, ‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’”

She is currently serving St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Jamestown, North Dakota. Previously, she served Minot Vincent United Methodist Church. Jennifer holds a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. While at Asbury, she served a one-year, quarter-time assignment as lay supply pastor for Triple Cross Cowboy Church Arena, participated in a Fresh Expressions Pioneer Learning Community with three members of the cowboy church, regularly attended Daily Eucharist and Estes Chapel worship services on the seminary campus, and academic work.

Her call to ministry was defined through two primary channels: serving in a leadership capacity in a local church and taking an on-line introductory biblical study course. She served as the lay leader at Cody United Methodist Church in Cody, Wyoming. In Cody, she was a member of a five-person team for the church as it participated in the “Whole Church Initiative” church revitalization process sponsored by the Yellowstone Annual Conference congregational development team.

Jennifer has family in Michigan that she frequently visits. Her hobbies are: her horse, her dog, hunting, watercolors, and calligraphy.

Jeanne Sortland

Jeanne’s favorite passages are: Acts 5:39: “But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

Isaiah 43:19: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Jeanne completed a Master of Divinity through the Kairos program from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary and Sioux Falls Seminary. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Sciences from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Pastor Sortland currently serves the congregations of Kensal and Wimbledon. She first felt her call to ministry as a teenager when she was active in church youth group, camp, and mission work. Her life journey, through many struggles has affirmed her call to become an ordained elder.

Jeanne is married to Kent. They have four children, two boys and two girls. Her hobbies are travel, supporting my children in their areas of interest, reading, and solving the problems of the world with my husband over morning coffee.