About Us

"Hello! My name is Curtis, and I have worked for around 20 years in ministry, filling various roles from youth volunteering and directing to preaching, administrative, and janitorial work. I  am not afraid to get my hands dirty with community work and also enjoy the work of Bible study and theological discussion. I am currently working through school to obtain a Masters of Divinity from Kairos University while serving at Montrose UMC. I have a passion for youth ministry, Christian education, studying and preaching.

I first felt the call to ministry at around 14 or 15 when I wanted the position in my Boy Scout troop that led the church services and prayers at campouts. After graduating high school, I volunteered with my church, Sunnycrest UMC in Sioux Falls, leading youth through Bible studies and attending church every Sunday. Later I moved to First UMC in Sioux Falls where I again worked in youth ministry while attending a young adult Bible study, and it was at this church that I first started working in a paid position as youth director. After some time, I was asked to be a part of a preaching cohort at Gayville/Volin UMC where I also taught two graduating classes of confirmation. 

 I am excited to lead worship as pastor at Montrose UMC! I want to see the church become a beacon of hope in the community where all are welcome and all feel the comfort of God's presence both in the church and around the town. I love it when I see a church be a city on a hilltop (Matthew 5:14). When I am not learning and working as a pastor, I like to play music, ride the bike trails, play tabletop role playing games, watch and read comic books and Lord of the Rings, and attend plays at the Washington Pavilion. I live in Sioux Falls with my spouse, Tiff, and our 9-year-old cat, Opal."