Across the Dakotas and Minnesota, some of the most powerful ministry stories begin long before a pastor steps into the pulpit. They begin with faithful people who choose to give in ways that will bless those they may never meet.

The Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations steward several endowments that are dedicated to supporting undergraduate and graduate scholarships and also work with a Dakotas Conference scholarship committee to select scholarship recipients who are answering their call to pastoral leadership.

Charles & Delores Sorensen

The Charles M. and Delores E. (Bigelow) Sorensen Memorial Endowment is one of those stories of quiet generosity that shape leaders. Each year, this endowment helps support students preparing for ministry and church music. For past recipient Rev. Tia Felberg, serving as pastor at Carpenter, De Smet, and Iroquois UMCs in South Dakota, that support arrived at exactly the right time.

Rooted in music, faith, and the local church

Charles and Delores Sorensen were deeply shaped by small communities and local churches in northeast South Dakota. Delores grew up in Andover and sang with her sisters as the “Bigelow Sisters,” even performing on a Watertown radio station while still in high school. Charles, the youngest of five children, grew up in Clark County and Webster, was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1929, and later joined the Methodist Church after their marriage in 1934.

When they moved to Sioux Falls, the Sorensens became active members of Asbury United Methodist Church. They loved Christian music, valued learning, and quietly invested their time and gifts. Charles audited the church’s finances for 16 years, while Delores served in educational roles and in the women’s circles. In later years, when they were homebound, visits from pastors and the sharing of Holy Communion became especially meaningful.

After their deaths in 2008, their family wanted to honor Charles and Delores in a way that reflected their love for music, education, and the church. In 2009, they established the Charles M. and Delores E. (Bigelow) Sorensen Memorial Endowment as a permanent fund to support students preparing for ministry and church music, with a special preference for students from Day and Clark counties in South Dakota and those connected to Asbury UMC.

“A reminder I am not walking this journey alone”

For Pastor Tia Felberg, support from the Sorensen endowment arrived during a season that felt both deeply meaningful and demanding.

Pastor Tia Felberg, scholarship recipient

“When I first learned that I would be receiving support from the Charles and Delores Sorensen Memorial Endowment, I was in a season that felt both deeply meaningful and, at times, overwhelming," recalled Pastor Tia. "I was fully invested in my studies and in my calling to ministry, but I was also very aware of the weight—financially, emotionally, and spiritually—that comes with pursuing that path."

"Hearing that I had been chosen for this support felt like a moment of quiet reassurance," she explained. "It wasn’t just relief; it felt like a reminder that I am not walking this journey alone. It encouraged me in a way that went beyond finances—it strengthened my resolve and reminded me that this calling matters, not just to me, but to others who are willing to invest in it.”

Practical help, deep encouragement

The Sorensen endowment was created with a modest gift, but its impact on Felberg’s life has been significant and very concrete.

“This scholarship has made a very real and practical difference in my journey toward ministry. It has eased financial pressure in a way that has allowed me to focus more fully on my studies, my spiritual growth, and the hands-on work of serving full-time in the three churches," said Pastor Tia.

"Instead of constantly worrying about how to manage the cost of education, I’ve been able to be more present, more engaged in ministry, and more available to the people I’m called to serve. A gift indeed. This scholarship has reminded me that ministry is something we do together and that there are people who believe in raising up leaders and are willing to invest in that future. I carry that with me.”

Through the Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations, gifts like the Sorensen endowment are carefully managed so they can continue supporting the next generation of church leaders. If you would like to explore how an endowment could support scholarships, your church, or other ministries close to your heart, please contact Alisha Vincent, Vice President, Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations, at 612‑230‑3338 or Alisha.Vincent@DkMnMF.org.

2026–27 Awards

The Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations recently awarded scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year. For the recipients, these scholarships are about more than tuition; they are a sign that the broader church believes in their call to serve. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!

Kairos University
Joshua Willprecht
Carrie Gilkerson
Laura Laible
Tiana Bohn
Rebecca Hafner
Tia Felberg

Kairos-DMin
Kori Lehrkamp

Kairos-PhD
Steve Trefz

Saint Paul School of Theology
Cindy Heidelberger Coates

Fuller Theological Seminary
Sara Nelson
Brandon Vetter

Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Beata Ferris

Iliff School of Theology
Melissa A. Cran