Sara Nelson

Sara Nelson currently serves as the senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sara is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and has been in pastoral ministry for over 15 years. She loves preaching about the good news of God’s love for everyone and finding ways to encourage others to be the people that God created them to be. One of her greatest joys was serving as a founding member of the P.A.C.H. (People Against Child Hunger) Board of Directors in Watertown, South Dakota that established a successful non-profit organization combating food insecurity for children. Prior to pastoral ministry, Sara worked as a licensed social worker, specializing in working with children and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and sociology from the University of Sioux Falls and a Master of Divinity from Sioux Falls Seminary. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree, where her research is focused on empowering lay leadership in the church. Sara and her husband, Mat, have been blessed with two daughters, Mara and Austine. She loves traveling, cheering her daughters on at their soccer games, musical theater, and spending time on their farm.