about us
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Who we are
Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Jamestown, North Dakota
Was founded in 1883 by a missionary from The Evangelical Association a denomination founded by Americans of German descent. In 1946 St Paul’s became an Evangelical United Brethren Church, and in 1968 it became part of the United Methodist Church. Through all of these denominational transitions, St. Paul’s has valued family connections, local and global missions, and sharing the good news about Jesus.
Our Mission, Vision & Values
MISSION STATEMENT
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
VISION STATEMENT
All generations connected to Jesus through fellowship and mission.
VALUES
- St Paul’s values being multi-generational.
- St Paul’s values fellowship.
- St Paul’s values missions.
Discipleship
Discipleship is a lifelong movement towards Jesus. It involves both growing to know Jesus more and being transformed into his likeness. In the gospels, Jesus often uses agricultural imagery to describe the growth of the kingdom of God: we read parables of the seed being sown, of weeds and wheat growing together, and of the vine and branches.
The three areas of discipleship development are:
Gather: A gathering disciple seeks purpose and belonging, connecting with God and others.
Grow: A growing disciple intentionally develops their faith their whole life as an individual and within a community of faith.
Pastor Jennifer McDonald
Pastor
Pastor Jennifer has been Pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church since July 2020. She received her M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary after receiving her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College. She served Triple Cross Cowboy Church in Harrodsburg, KY and Vincent United Methodist Church in Minot, ND before coming to Jamestown.
She enjoys spending time with and training her dog, Tux and her two horses, Jackson and Lucky Lil. She also enjoys baking homemade pies and good fiction.
Cheryl Dewald
Treasurer
Cheryl, a lifelong resident of Jamestown, North Dakota, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her community and profession. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
With over 20 years in the banking industry, Cheryl served as Accounting Manager and Controller at First Community Credit Union. She then transitioned into the insurance sector, spending approximately four years at Farmers Union Insurance. Her career path later led her to the State of North Dakota, where she contributed her expertise for more than two decades. Her state service included five years as Business Manager at the North Dakota State Hospital, ten years as Business Manager at the James River Correctional Center, and seven years as Human Resources Manager at the same institution.
Cheryl is devoted to her family, which includes three grown daughters—Mallory (Justin) Bear, Megan Dewald, and Alyssa (Taylor) Olson—and three cherished granddaughters. All reside in Jamestown, strengthening her deep roots in the area.
An active community member, Cheryl has been a leader and volunteer with the Jamestown Girl Scouts for an impressive 32 years. In her leisure time, she enjoys scrapbooking and traveling, always finding joy in creating memories and exploring new destinations.
Sandra Bear
Administrative Assistant
Sandra joined St. Paul’s United Methodist Church as an Administrative Assistant in August 2023. Raised on a farm near Buchanan, she earned a Composite Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Science from Dickinson State University. She spent approximately 12 years in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she gained valuable experience working in customer service roles.
Now back in her home state, Sandra enjoys quality time with her husband, Pat, their two dogs, Smiley and Ellen, and their cats, Alice and Reilly. She also loves spending time outdoors with her family whenever the weather allows.