Oct 2025 – A Reflection by Rev. Roberto Ochoa
“And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel of all creation.”
(Mark 16:15)
In the ten months that I have been serving as Conference Minister for the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences, I have been sharing reflections of my adventures driving through the beautiful sites that make up the three conferences. From the breath-taking Nebraska Sandhills to the rolling countrysides of Iowa, the farming heartlands of South Dakota to it’s Black Hills, my travels to our churches and Association gatherings have allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the earth…in a way I have never appreciated before. I’m in awe of the privilege I have being invited to so many spaces with folks seeking connection with the United Church of Christ’s Conferences and Associations.
I have been touched with the desire to rebuild our sense of communities from clergy and lay leaders alike. I have learned that our members that make up our churches from rural farm and ranch lands to small towns, suburban and urban alike are a committed mission driven people ready to help those in need in the Name of Jesus Christ even in the diversity of our theological approaches to the Divine and our faith. The hospitality that I have been shown wherever I go, humbles me greatly and for that I feel grateful and blessed.
Towards the end of September and throughout October, my mode of travel switched from primarily driving to flying…and in a period of national government shut down, I was slightly apprehensive yet leaned into my faith…what will be will be!
September ended with me preaching at Edwards UCC in Davenport and attending the annual Iowa UCC Conference Eastern Association meeting which gave me the opportunity to meet, hear and learn of the ministries of our churches in the eastern part of Iowa.
The first week of October, I flew to Rapid City for the annual meeting of the South Dakota Conference UCC which also hosted my installation as Conference Minister in Placerville UCC Camp. The weekend was a successful meeting of our churches and worship celebrations with my friend, the Rev Dr Dave Long-Higgins, Conference Minister for the Heartland UCC Conference (OH, KY, WV) provided us a message that “hummed” the vibration of God (Love with a capital L) among us all. Rev Rachael Pryor, the Conference Minister for Southern California/Nevada and representing the Council of Conference Ministers shared our connection as a Body of Christ from my home state of California. The worship had a contemporary feel, led by the talented Red Sea Pedestrians worship band, that matched my personality and in the midst of the beautiful setting of the hills and valleys of the camp. The Rev Matthew Richards, pastor of Mitchell UCC provided a passionate plea and call for justice and action from me and our churches in South Dakota…I felt we were called to be one with the Creator, Christ, the Holy Spirit and each other that weekend.
From Rapid City, I flew to Des Moines to attend Iowa Conference annual meeting in Plymouth Church, Iowa’s largest congregation, which would also host my installation as Conference Minister. The one-day annual meeting went smoothly, and the worship service led by pastor Rev Dr Jared Wortman with the musical leadership of Mr. Christopher Goodson, the phenomenal organist Ms. Sohee Lee, and the Chancel Choir provided us with a feast for our ears and souls…as it lifted the sacred covenantal vows of service between the Iowa Conference and myself with a combination of solemnity and celebration. My dear friends, the Rev Dr Renee C Jackson, UCC Minister for Ministerial Formation and the Rev Dr Lorraine Ceniceros, Conference Minister for the Kansas Oklahoma Conference (and representing the Council of Conference Ministers), graced us with their words of support and challenge to honor and love one another in this journey.
The laying of the hands by the congregations, the common thread of all three installations I experienced in Nebraska (in May) South Dakota and Iowa to affirm my call as Conference Minister never failed to be an emotional one. To think, God called this urban East L.A. Chicano gay kid to lead three remarkable conferences…so different from one another yet so similar in their mission of Christ’s service…words cannot even begin to describe it. God indeed works in mysterious ways through the Holy Spirit. How can I not be moved to tears and feel blessed?
To all those that made it possible, the hard work by my conference staff, the annual meeting planning teams and Board of Directors for South Dakota and Iowa, the hospitality volunteers from First Congregational and South Park UCC in Rapid City and from Plymouth Church in Des Moines, my deepest “gracias” for going above and beyond. Blessings be upon you and your loved ones in the name of God who created us, the One who shows us the Way, and the Holy Spirit that inspires and comforts us, always.
Bendiciones y Paz
Rev Roberto
Next week part 2 – From experiencing a serene evening on a farm in Klemme, Iowa to riding a combine harvester tracker in Brentford, South Dakota to walking the halls of power in Washington DC…continued musings of a traveling Iowa Nebraska South Dakota UCC Conference Minister.