Barbara describes her relationship with God as one that "grows on you." Her upbringing in a small, Reformed Church in Artas, North Dakota, where she attended Sunday School with her parents, laid the foundation for her faith. Her journey, she reflects, was "slow and steady," a testament to her unwavering commitment. She always believed in a greater plan for her life, which guided her every step.  

Blessing of the Animals service at Ellendale PUMC. Photo from Ellendale PUMC Facebook page.

Barbara and her husband were custom harvesters. They traveled to Oklahoma, where they met all kinds of people. Since Barbara’s ministry is in a farming community, she feels that all of her experience has helped her connect to the church in a unique way.

“I can relate to farmers. I can relate to harvest season. I can relate to all that kind of stuff, which is really unique.” She said. “Sitting in the pew for most of my life, instead of standing up behind the pulpit, has given me a better way of relating to the people sitting in that pew.” 

Barbara's journery as a Licensed Local Pastor has beeen a few short,  but meaningful years. She got her start in ministry later in life, first as a youth leader in Eureka, South Dakota. Barbara was then asked by her mentor, Rev. Bob Duemig, to assist with pulpit supply while he was away. The congregation in Eureka, Rev. Bob Duemig, and her husband David, all encouraged her to pursue a path of ministry. Barbara could not be more grateful to them for their support. “I always tell people I did not pursue this calling. It pursued me.” 

In 2018, Barbara began as a lay minister with the “Luke 10 Team” for Ashley, Edgeley, and Ellendale United. Through her work with the “Luke 10 Team,” she realized that she could use her gifts and experience to connect to the people in her community.

“I always knew I could speak well, and I’ve always known that I don’t have a problem speaking in front of people. I just never knew whether or not I could be a pastor,”  She said. 

After deciding to pursue ministry as a Licensed Local Pastor, Barbara took courses with Kairos University before getting her first official appointment to Ellendale United and Ashley Emmanuel UMC in 2021. In 2023, the church in Ashley, North Dakota, decided to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Barbara was then able to focus her attention on Ellendale United. 

One of Barbara’s goals for her ministry was to make the Bible characters come alive again and remind people that the characters in the Bible were real people. She focuses on reintroducing God and reminding people of the amazing miracles he has performed. Barbra talks about people who have grown up in the church by saying, “I think we lose track of who God is when we’ve been in it so long. We kind of lose the wow factor of who God is and what he has done.”

Barbara says the most significant piece of advice she ever received was, “You’re not the Holy Spirit. And I’m not the Holy Spirit. It’s not my job to change people’s hearts. My job is to preach the gospel, and it is the gospel that the Holy Spirit uses to change people’s hearts.”

Barbara and her family at a recent wedding. Photo from Facebook.

Although Barbara has thoroughly enjoyed serving Ellendale United, the daunting 74 miles from her house to the church has been very logistically challenging for her and her husband.  

In retirement, Barbara hopes to focus on being a good wife, mom, and grandma. She loves spending time with her seven grandkids and is excited to see them more often. Barbara is also looking forward to going to more car shows with her husband, who is also retired.