People are migrating to Williston, North Dakota from all over the world for a new life through work in the Bakken Oil Rush. The influx of people has created needs for adequate food, shelter and housing. The need has become even greater with the layoffs in the oil field and the coming of winter.  Katie Peterson, deaconess, Global Board of Missions (GBOM) Community and Outreach worker, Williston, North Dakota has been busily preparing for the winter. People will show up at Faith United Methodist Church, Out in Faith—Bakken Oil Rush Ministry tired and cold needing coats, gloves, warm hats and winter clothing. You can support Katie’s salary by giving to Advance 982942 on #Giving Tuesday.  

In 2013, Faith UMC along with Dakotas Conference leaders saw the emerging needs in the community.  The Conference and Faith wanted to start a ministry to extend the love of God to their new neighbors.  That was the beginning of Out in Faith Ministry. Photo courtesy Katie Peterson: Men's winter coats are in high demand in Williston.

Out in Faith provides a meal, worship experience, prayer, clothing items and household items to people in need in the Williston Community. It all began in December 2013, by offering a warm meal and worship service on Saturday evenings to anyone.  But there was a lot more to do and help was needed.

GBOM was assigned Peterson to serve as a church and community worker in Williston.  Katie arrived in Williston January 2014 after a request had been made for a Faith UMC and the Dakotas Conference. The Conference and Faith UMC provide funding for Peterson’s housing and 45% of the total salary.  The GBOM through the Advance Fund supports over 55% Peterson’s salary.   

 “The role of a church and community worker is to challenge the local church to take the church into the community and community into the church,” said Katie Peterson is a United Methodist deaconess and a church and community worker for Out in Faith-Bakken Oil Rush Ministry. Photo: Two oil wells are pumped 24/7 on the Williston, ND horizon.

Katie works to connect individuals with the church and community by helping people to find employment, housing and inviting them to the Saturday evening worship and meal called GIFT (God in Faith Tonight).  Faith UMC and Out in Faith Ministry also provides gift cards for gas and phone calls.

“Out In Faith shares an average of $200 a week in gas cards or phone cards to assist individuals or families with either getting employment here or with going home,” stated Peterson.

On December 1, 2015, United Methodist will join hands to support the work of Advance projects and missionaries to transform lives on UMC #GivingTuesday. Every gift made online through The Advance atwww.umcmission.org/give on Dec. 1, 2015 will be matched up to $1 million.*  The Dakotas Conference is home to three Advance Projects:  Katie Peterson, GBOM church and community worker, Solar Oven Partners and Tree of Life. Photo: an oil drilling rig silhouette north of Williston, ND.

* Global Ministries will allocate matching funds dollar for dollar up to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects received online onDec. 1, 2015, between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. CT. A maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to a project will be dispersed as matching funds. A project may receive a maximum of $25,000 in matching funds. Photo: Katie Peterson in her office at Faith UMC in Williston.

Out in Faith Ministry from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.