Following God's call to ordained ministry is not always easy. For Jordan Louks, the support that he received from his friends, family, local church and the conference has made a difference.

Louks was an active member of Spearfish United Methodist Church. He really did not participate in youth activities. Instead, after being invited, he became a member of the church choir. He was sixteen and the average age of the other members was 60. Jordan became involved in various musical groups-bell choir and praise band. It was during this time he felt God calling him to ministry but he pushed it away.

"I really was not sure. In my teenage mind, I envisioned church leaders as people who were bold and strong in their convictions without any doubt or fear. But I was a teenager, forming my identify and was full of fear and doubt," described Louks.

Jordan went on to college and joined a small group that met at the pastor's house, Rev. Scott McKirdy, every Sunday evening for supper, games and conversation. At the college-aged small group, Louks explored with others what it means to be human and how God plays into that. He met his wife, Alyssa in that small group. His call to ministry became more vivid.

Pastor Scott McKirdy and his wife Colleen, became great friends, colleagues and mentors. God continued to call Jordan. A mission trip to Honduras, his continued involvement at Spearfish UMC and support from family has guided the call and the journey through seminary.

Additionally, Louks has been supported spiritually and financially by the Dakotas Conference. He has ongoing contact with his mentor Rev. Scott McKirdy, district superintendents have visited him at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary and he has received scholarship support.

Jordan has this to say about financial assistance he has been provided. "The financial assistance is simply spectacular. I would not be able to do this without all of the financial support. Because of it I will personally leave seminary debt-free. That is simply amazing, especially today when most graduate students are enormously in debt by the time they graduate. Because I am debt free, it will ensure that there is not a large cloud hanging over my head as I begin pastoral ministry."

He finished seminary this spring and will be commissioned as an elder during the Celebration of Life in Ministry service. The service will take place at Embrace Church on Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

"The support I received, inspires me to be a continued advocate for financial aid to students and higher education. All people should have the opportunity to have an education, and those called to ordained ministry should be able to attend seminary without taking on exorbitant debt," said Louks.