Five Dakota Conference young adults attended Exploration 2015 held November 6-8 in Orlando, Florida: Matt Bader, Chelsey Schmeling and Sheldon Tulio. "It was great to be able to connect with others considering ministry," said Matt Bader. Rev. Theta Miller, Brookings First UMC, accompanied the group to Orlando, FL.

Choosing a career path is a difficult decision. For young adults considering ordained ministry, that decision can be even more stressful. Individuals pursuing more traditional vocations have ample access to occupational education and job fairs, however, the same can’t always be said for those considering ordained ministry. Enter Exploration.

Exploration is a biennial, three-day event for young adults ages 18 to 26. “Exploration is for those who think God may be calling them to ordained or licensed ministry, and wondering what that type of ministry looks like in the United Methodist Church,” says the Rev. Trip Lowery, director of young adult ministry discernment and enlistment at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Photo courtesy Rev. Theta Miller, with Dakotas delegation to Exploration 2015.

Conference attendees had an opportunity to learn more about The United Methodist seminaries and theological schools and explore their gifts for service as potential deacons or elders in The United Methodist Church.

“This is an opportunity to discern with others who are in similar seasons of life, with similar questions, and learn from the experiences of leaders who have already answered that call,” adds Rev. Lowery. “Exploration is about helping you make an informed and prayerful decision about pursuing — or not pursuing — a path in ordained or licensed ministry.”

Attendees heard from several renowned speakers who have explored and followed their calling to ministry. Scheduled speakers included:

• Rev. Dr. Kim Cape, general secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church. She has previously served as the executive director of New Church Growth and Transformation for the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. Rev. Cape has a Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree with Leadership focus from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

• Rev. Bridgette Young Ross, dean of the chapel and spiritual life at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Rev. Ross is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Candler School of Theology. Prior to answering her call to ordained ministry, Rev. Ross spent 10 years in corporate America in sales, marketing and human resources management.

• Rev. April Casperson, vice president of institutional advancement at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. An ordained deacon from the West Ohio Conference, Rev. Casperson’s specialized ministry is theological education and vocational discernment.

• Rev. Dale Fredrickson, pastor and poet from Denver. He serves as the teaching pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

• Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, founding pastor of the ecumenical ministry, the South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry, in Albuquerque, N.M. Bishop Carcaño is a native of Edinburg, Texas and has previously served as a local church pastor and district superintendent. In 2012 she was assigned to the California-Pacific Conference in the Los Angeles area. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Pan American and Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University. 

Exploration creates a sacred space for young adults to participate in meaningful fellowship, passionate worship, theological reflection and practical workshops as they discern whether God’s call in their life is to ordained ministry for The United Methodist Church, and what faithful steps they can take in response.