Rev. Clay Lundberg is the 2022 Youth Worker of the Year. Photos by jlynn studios.

"Being involved in youth ministry, as much as I am, has never been a specific goal. But, now that I am here and in it, I see it as incredibly vital to being in ministry," said Rev. Clay Lundberg, named the 2022 Youth Worker of the Year.

Clay Lundberg started youth ministry during his sophomore year at the University of Sioux Falls. He was a Philosophy and Theology major and attended Southern Hills United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rev. Steve Ziebarth, the pastor at Southern Hills UMC at that time, was looking for some volunteers for youth ministry. Lundberg volunteered.

Lundberg was taking a couple of courses in youth ministry as part of his journey towards pastoral ministry. 
Under the guidance of Ziebarth and a team of people, he got started and experienced the vitality of youth ministry.

Pastor Clay fondly recalls his time at Southern Hills. There was an open question night. "We would break youth into small groups and let them ask any question about faith and life."

After seminary, Pastor Clay's first appointment was as associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, South Dakota. His focus was youth ministry at First UMC. He spent time teaching confirmation and overseeing the middle school and high school youth program.

"I remember taking nine youth on a mission trip, with other youth and adult youth ministry leaders from the Dakotas Conference to Seattle," said Pastor Clay. "It was an exciting time for me and the youth."

His next appointment was at the United Methodist congregations in Burke and Herrick, South Dakota, where there was a community-wide youth group. "There were 20-25 youth that gathered every Wednesday night," recalled Lundberg. "There were even a couple of lessons by the lake. We were able to talk about the resurrection and have supper by the lake. The lake setting really made the scripture come alive for the youth."

Lundberg's involvement in the camping ministry has expanded his reach to youth across the Dakotas Conference. "One young man I met through the camping ministry is now thinking about going into ministry," said Pastor Clay. "Our relationship started at camp, and we have stayed connected through youth ministry experiences. I am grateful to be connected in this way as this young person explores a call to ministry."

Lundberg helped design and serves as the dean at Minecraft Camp at Wesley Acres. He also is the dean of Middle School Sampler Camp at Lake Poinsett. "Camping allows me to interact with kids in different way. We often have only one to two hours to interact with youth at the church or throughout the community. At camp, you get to walk beside youth for an intensive time and longer conversations about faith," he said.

Pastor Clay, third from the left, is congratulated by Bishop Deb Kiesey, after receiving the award.

Now serving at the United Methodist Church in Canton, South Dakota, he continues his youth ministry journey. Recently he was teaching youth about prayer. "I led a group of seventh and eighth-grade students through an age-appropriate experience of Lectio Devina—the practice of leading very spiritually and intentionally," said Pastor Clay. "One of the students sent a text after the experience saying how meaningful it was to her. She requested some more resources to continue the practice. Her mother sent a text saying it was a meaningful faith experience for her daughter. The mom stated, 'We have been away from the church and feel like we found a home now.' It was cool to hear that someone's faith was impacted."

Another part of his ministry at Canton is teaching confirmation. "I love teaching confirmation. It is super important as a pastor to prepare people for membership, which includes youth and young adults. At Canton UMC, I have been with a group that is getting ready to be confirmed for three years. I have prepared some awards—the Pastor Clay Sanity Award, the Methodist Nerd Award, and the Attendance Award. Everyone in the class, I have confirmed, has been awesome. This is a particularly fun class."

Pastor Clay advises youth ministry leaders to let the group have some ownership. "Sometimes the adult leader needs to give directions but listening to the group is important," he said. "Ask questions like: What did you like about last year? What did you not like about last year? What are some things you are hoping to do this year? I don't have my entire year planned. I invite the group to have a conversation, and we plan together.

Pastor Clay received the Youth Worker of the Year Award at the 2022 Dakotas Annual Conference, held in Bismarck, North Dakota.

"It was completely surreal. I did not anticipate getting an award for youth ministry," said Pastor Clay. "Things are going well in ministry, but there are always challenges. So it was truly a surprise to receive the award."