Youth participating in the Black Hills Mission Immersion volunteered at Black Hills Works.

Youth and leaders from four rural Dakotas United Methodist churches spent part of their summer in the Black Hills, discovering that mission work can grow from small beginnings into exponential impact.

This summer’s Black Hills Mission Immersion didn’t happen by accident. It grew out of a simple idea shared by rural pastors: if we work together—and tap into grant support from the Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations—we can make ministry possible for youth in rural communities.

Supported by a one-time Innovation in Youth Ministry Grant, made possible through the generosity of Foundation donors, the immersion trip brought together youth from Beresford Zion, Clark, Alexandria, and Ethan United Methodist Churches, in South Dakota for a relationship-centered week of serving and growing in faith.

A new kind of rural collaboration

“The 2026 immersion trip was organized by the Dakotas Mission Collective, a collection of rural churches partnering to provide affordable and impactful mission experiences for middle and high school youth,” said Pastor John Schomberg of Beresford Zion UMC. “We strive to offer immersive, relationship-centered opportunities for students to serve others and live out their faith, where all are welcome and know they are loved by God.”

“This experience was only possible because of the shared leadership and partnership of Pastors Kim Hastings and Tara Bush,” Schomberg said. “We have worked together to create an opportunity for rural youth to serve, build relationships, and grow in their faith.”

Mission close to home

Rather than sending youth through a national organization, the trip focused on ministries and nonprofits in Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

“This year, we explored a variety of service opportunities and had a lot of fun,” Schomberg shared. Youth served alongside staff at Storm Mountain Center, connected with adults with disabilities through Black Hills Works, and experienced community-building ministries like Circle of Friends and Woyatan Lutheran’s outreach.

“We want to expose our kids to different types of mission and ministry so they can learn about themselves,” Schomberg said. “Kids discovered that they can work with people with disabilities, that they’d love to help at teen centers, and that they can be part of what their church is doing—or maybe even start something new.”

Addressing barriers for small churches

Schomberg explained, “Mission trips are getting more and more expensive, almost pricing small churches out.” The grant helped make this first year more affordable for families, while also intentionally setting aside funds to fuel future ministry.

“The grant essentially becomes seed money for something bigger than we thought we could do,” he said. “The idea is for that support to grow in exponential ways.” By saving a portion of the grant for next summer’s trip, the Dakotas Mission Collective is already planning for more youth to participate and for the impact to expand, partnering with Tree of Life for a Mission Immersion to the Rosebud Reservation and surrounding rural communities.

Youth served at Storm Mountain Center, completing projects that support the camp's ministry.

Partnership with the Foundation

The Innovation in Youth Ministry Grant is designed to help congregations launch, strengthen, or reimagine nontraditional ministries with youth and young adults—fostering innovative engagement, nurturing faith, building relationships, and inviting young people into leadership and service.

“Innovation in Youth Ministry Grants are only worth it if they turn into ministry that kids and youth can see and feel,” said Katie Meister, Program Director for the Foundations. “That’s what we’re looking for when we read applications—real plans that make a difference in the lives of young people. We see it here.”

“We are grateful for the support of the Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundation and look forward to continuing to partner with them,” Schomberg said.

To explore other grant opportunities available through the Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations, visit our Grants web page. 

These grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who are passionate about supporting young people and youth ministry. If you or your congregation are interested in making a gift in partnership with the Foundation to help provide grants like these in the future, please contact us at info@DkMnMF.org or call (612)230-3337.