Jason Balster, a junior biology major at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota is new to the Christian faith.  He has been a Christian for just over a year.  Facing significant problems in his life he found himself spending two days in jail.  These two days of jail time ultimately were the beginning of a life of freedom in Jesus Christ. 

Balster received the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism on June 5, 2014 at the Dakotas Annual Conference in Rapid City, South Dakota.

While growing up in South St. Paul, Minnesota Jason rarely attended church.  It wasn't until starting NDSU that he made his commitment to follow Christ. He became a member of Christ on Campus, Faith United Methodist Church's Campus Ministry at North Dakota State University in the fall of 2013.  Since then he has worshiped at Fargo Faith United Methodist Church.  Balster officially became a member of the UMC in April 2014.

Balster’s grandmother was the only "church-going" person in his family and she encouraged him to visit with her pastor, after experiencing troubles.  He had no clue what a pastor could do for him but he went anyway.  It was there that he discovered God's unconditional forgiveness and with that forgiveness came a joy and peace he had never felt.  The old life that lead to all sorts of problems has been transformed, replaced with new life in Christ.  He is a new person.  Since that day Jason has been passionate about sharing his faith so that others can experience the transforming power of God's love at work in their life. 

Jason will often take his Bible to coffee shops and read while drinking coffee hoping that someone will stop and ask him questions about his faith.  While this approach is passive Jason is also much more active in sharing his faith. 

When his sister faced problems in her life he lead her to church and ultimately into a relationship with Jesus that has changed her life.

 Jason is active in Christ on Campus, Faith's Campus Ministry, and each week he brings NDSU students to help with Faith's Friday food ministry. He leads a small group Bible study on Campus and has been elected the President of Christ on Campus for the 2014-2015 school year by his peers. 

“We have a goal  for Christ on Campus this fall to find a place somewhere on the NDSU campus where we can hold worship each week at a regular time,” said Balster. 

Baltster willingly and excitedly shares his faith with other students.  When one student who is not a Christian faced a difficult moment in her life he reached out to her sharing his faith and how Jesus could help her through this situation. 

“In college the world tells you one thing, and the Bible another,” stated Jason. “It is tough when no one is telling you that you are doing things that are not really helpful or fulfilling.  When you put your trust in worldly things and no one tells you that there is only one thing certain and to be trusted God.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!  Hebrews 13:8 (CEB)”

Jason has a deep call to ministry.  Having been touched by God's grace he wants to enter full-time ministry to share this grace with others. Jason currently helps at Fargo Faith worship team as a tech person.

“I really didn’t get the call at one moment.  It sort of happened.  Last fall I was thinking about it all the time.  I could not stop telling others or talking about Jesus,” explained Jason.  “One Sunday I was working on the tech team at Fargo Faith and listening to Pastor Kevin’s message.  It kind of hit me, even though I don’t really like to talk in front of groups, I can do this.  I feel like I am able and have enough love for God that I can do this.”

He is beginning candidacy toward being an ordained elder in the Dakotas Conference.   He has a desire to plant a church that reaches unchristian and younger people for Christ.  His time with Christ on Campus, a new and emerging ministry to NDSU students, will help develop skills needed for starting new ministries.