Rev. Jason Christensen is commissioned at the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service in Bismarck, N.D. Photos by jlynn studios.

“I love to teach and preach. My gifting is preaching and teaching. I love to see people have that ‘aha’ moment and get on fire for Jesus. That motivates me in ministry,” said Rev. Jason Christensen.  

Christensen was commissioned as an elder at the 2026 Celebration of Life in Ministry Service in Bismarck, North Dakota. Elders' commissioning relates persons to the ministry of provisional members within the annual conference. The candidate and witnesses acknowledge and affirm God’s call and the individual’s gifts and training for leadership in the local church. The body offers support for continuing formation as the candidate journeys toward ordination and full membership. Those preparing for ordination as elders and serving local congregations are licensed and authorized for sacramental and pastoral duties.

Christensen grew up in Spearfish, South Dakota, on a hobby ranch, attending a Lutheran church. He attended the church that his grandmother attended. Throughout his youth, he knew God was calling him to ministry.

“When I graduated from high school in 1992, I had an idea that God wanted me in ministry, but the fear of death and the fact that I would have to do funerals took over. I had a brush with death in the mid 80s. I lost a great uncle in a farming accident. Something happened to me. I was afraid of death,” described Christensen.

He attended college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, earning a degree in business.  At college, Christensen was involved in Lutheran Campus Ministry and Campus Crusade for Christ. He got married, and they became members of the United Methodist Church in Sturgis, South Dakota.

“I was selling insurance, working with my dad. I worked with Rev. Frank McKeen, our pastor, on the financial committee. Frank said to me one night at dinner, ‘Jason, I don’t know why you aren’t in the ministry,’” shared Jason.

They moved from Sturgis to Gillette, Wyoming. He worked in a coal mine. During that time, they stepped away from the church due to schedules. In 2007, the family moved to Meridian, Idaho, and became involved at the United Methodist Church there.

“We were in a small group for young couples with children. That renewed my walk with God. I went to the Idaho Walk to Emmaus. It was a transitional moment for me. The Holy Spirit got a hold of me and said, ‘Why aren’t you doing ministry?’ Then came the financial crash of 2008,” explained Pastor Jason.

The family moved back to South Dakota for a couple of years. They found themselves back in Idaho. It was there that Christensen accepted God’s call.

“My pastor called and told me about this position for adult discipleship ministry. I had this business background, and I thought, ‘Really?’ I told him that I wouldn’t do funerals. The Methodist Church took a chance on me. I did that ministry for three years,” he said. 

Pastor Jason shared an ironic moment from his first ministry. He was told that he would not have to do funerals. Eight months into the position, a 16-year-old girl who had just lost her father walked into Pastor Jason’s office crying.

Pastor Jason comforted her, and as she left, he said, “If there is anything I can do for you or your family, let me know.”

The girl stated, “We want you to do Dad’s funeral.”

“I went into the senior pastor's office,” said Pastor Jason. “I said, ‘Hey buddy, you told me I wouldn’t have to do this.’”

The senior pastor said, “I did, but God didn’t!”

Bishop Lanette Plambeck with Rev. Jason Christensen on the day of commissioning.

In 2015, his wife’s job brought them back to Rapid City, South Dakota.  He spent time at Rapid City First United Methodist Church in Discipleship Ministry.  He was invited by his district superintendent to consider being a pastor at a local church.

In 2018, Christensen went to licensing school and began serving the congregations at White River and Mission, South Dakota. He transferred to Lead Trinity UMC. During that time, his father was ill, and the transfer allowed him to spend time with his dad. His love and inspiration for ministry continued to grow.

“Seeing people get to know Jesus motivates me. Sometimes it happens instantly. Sometimes it is a slow process. I get to witness people see what Jesus can do in their lives and commit their lives to Christ. That really is what ministry is all about,” said Pastor Jason.

As a pastor, he recalls a moment while teaching Bible Study. The lesson was pre-planned, moving through readings, a video, and prepared questions. During the questions, a gentleman stood up and interrupted the proceedings. He said, “I need to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior right now.” This was an awkward moment, but a true “aha” moment that Pastor Jason remembers clearly. The two of them remain grateful for that moment.

“I am still in contact with that gentleman today. He continues to express gratitude for that moment leading him to Christ,” said Pastor Jason.

Sermon series are Christensen’s approach to preaching. He schedules his sermons 6-8 months in advance. When planning, he considers the liturgical calendar and maps out sermons around its topics. Sermons and teaching are shaped around connecting the words of God to life today.

“When I am teaching or preaching. I share the words of God, or scripture, then I relate that to what is happening today. I give examples from my own life and what is happening in the world today. I encourage people to do something with the information in their lives today.”

In true irony, Pastor Jason has been told that one of his gifts is to do funerals– the very thing that kept him away from ministry.

“When you lose a loved one, the pastor is the one that people turn to. I have seen how lives can be transformed even in those darkest moments. They connect with me, others, and with God in those moments. Those people come back and say, ‘I want to be a part of the church.’”

Supporters and mentors in Pastor Jason’s ministry include his pastor in Meridian, Idaho, Rev. Frank McKeen, and Rev. Dr. Steve Trefz. Christensen is pursuing his Doctor of Ministry under the guidance of Trefz.

“Steve has given me a different lens. He nudges me to look at things differently. Without Steve, my pastor in Idaho, and Frank, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said.

The Dakotas Conference is a caring community Christensen shares. He notes that they are like family that cares for each other. He strives to connect others to God and form caring relationships. He stated, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”