Rev. Joel Winckler, at the podium presents Paul Pluddeman, the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Laity in Bismarck, North Dakota. Photo by jlynn studios.

The Harry Denman Award for Evangelism for Laity was presented to Paul Plueddeman from First United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota, at the 2024 Annual Conference in Bismarck. 

Paul embodies the spirit and heart of evangelism in various ways. His call to ministry has always been first to those who have experienced addiction and incarceration. Paul understands because that is part of his own story. He gives glory to God for bringing him out of that life into a brand new one, readily shares his story and experience with others, and wants others in those situations to find hope in Christ as he did. He is a compassionate truth-teller and an authentic witness. 

Paul volunteers weekly with jail chaplains and has been the connecting point for a ministry partnership to emerge between jail chaplains and Fargo First United Methodist Church. Paul started the 2nd Chance Ministry: No one walks alone. 2nd Chance ministry is rooted in Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, you are also in the body.”  The vision for 2nd Chance Ministry expands the meaning of prison; a prison is anything that keeps you from knowing the love of God. It is a ministry that seeks to walk alongside all those struggling, helping them experience God’s love and grace and discover that there is no sin that God can’t forgive. 

Through 2nd Chance, Paul spearheaded a postcard campaign so that those in jail would get mail over the holidays—Christmas and Easter; this simple act by many members of the church paved the way for Paul to have Jesus conversations in jail because he goes to “the church that sent us mail.”  Because of Paul’s work with jail chaplains, First UMC has become a meeting place for classes offered by this ministry.  Paul’s testimony and conversations are seeds scattered for the gospel in the county jail.  
Paul is also active in the recovery worship ministry and is the primary lead in the Fresh Expressions Dinner Church. Paul usually shares the weekly Jesus story with those members and newcomers gathered in the basement for a free meal at Wednesday Dinner Church. 

When he went on a recent vacation, he asked his pastor for a few Bibles to take with him to give away. While his wife was at her conference on that trip, he made new friends on the street, listening to their stories and offering them a Bible.  

For these examples, other individual encounters, and ways he shares Jesus that we don’t even know about, the Dakotas Conference is honored to present Paul Plueddeman with the 2024 Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Evangelism for Laity.