Ministerial Staff:

Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences

Rev. Phil Hart – Interim Executive Conference Minister

Pronouns: he/him

Phil Hart is the youngest child of John and Carolyn Hart. He was born and raised on a small farm outside of Columbus, Ohio and started preaching to the cows and chickens when he was 8. Officially Phil has been in ministry for about 32 years, beginning as a local pastor when he was in college. Phil’s education includes a degree in psychology and three master’s degrees (Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Master of Communications). He has served in 9 Conferences across the United Church of Christ over the last 16 years. Phil is also a licensed social worker, a certified mediator, has been a professor of theology and communication, consultant and local pastor. He enjoys traveling, reading, movies and the outdoors.  

Want ot connect or have a question? Contact Rev. Hart via email.

Rev. Samantha Houser – Associate Conference Minister

Pronouns: she/they

Rev. Houser specializes in authorized ministry and offers support for all Committees on Ministry in our conferences. Have questions about becoming a UCC pastor in our conferences, Communities of Practice, Behavioral Covenant or Abuse Prevention resources? Contact Rev. Houser via email or phone at 402.350.1714. Want to schedule a conversation? Look at Rev. Houser’s calendar.

Want to learn more about Rev. Houser’s work in our conferences? Learn about how to become a UCC pastor in our conferences, explore our Behavioral Covenant and Abuse Prevention resources, view our Boundary Training opportunities, consider joining a Community of Practice, and visit the South Dakota Facebook page.

Rev. Kendy Miller – Associate Conference Minister

Pronouns: she/her

Rev. Miller specializes in Care and Connection for church leaders, Members in Discernment, and congregations in our conferences. Need general support in your ministry or have questions about congregational vitality, retired clergy care, or spiritual direction? Contact Rev. Miller via email or phone at 515.669.5243. Want to schedule a conversation? Look at Rev. Miller’s calendar.

Want to learn more about Rev. Miller’s work in our conferences? Explore resources for church leaders and congregations, visit the Iowa Facebook page, and visit our calendar page to find educational and community-driven events to connect with our staff and other church leaders and congregations.

Rev. Sarah Rentzel Jones – Associate Conference Minister

Pronouns: she/her

Rev. Rentzel Jones specializes in Search and Call in our conferences. Are you a local church seeking leadership or a pastor seeking a call? View our Search and Call resources and practices and contact our Search and Call team. Have other questions about Search and Call or about our Brave Space initiatives? Contact Rev. Rentzel Jones via email or phone at 808.631.2444. Want to schedule a conversation? Look at Rev. Rentzel Jones’ calendar.

Want to learn more about Rev. Rentzel Jones’ work in our conferences? Explore our Brave Space resources for becoming an LGBTQ+ inclusive and anti-racist congregation, view the Search and Call resources, and visit the Nebraska Facebook page.

Support Staff:

Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences

Jane Estrada – Search and Call Administrative Specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Jane serves as the office manager for the Sioux Falls Office and supports ACM Rev. Sarah Rentzel Jones in the work of Search and Call. Are you a local church seeking leadership or a pastor seeking a call? View our Search and Call resources and practices and contact our Search and Call team. Have other Search and Call questions? Contact Jane via email or phone at 605.774.3530. Want to schedule a conversation? Look at Jane’s calendar.

Want to learn more about Jane’s work in our conferences? View the Search and Call resources, South Dakota welcome page, and general conference forms.

Kelsey Plummer – Administrative Specialist for Ministerial Authorization and Congregational Well-Being

Pronouns: she/her

Kelsey supports ACM Rev. Samantha Houser and all Commities on Ministry in their work of authorized ministry. She also collaborates on Congregational Well-Being projects with a focus on ministers who are nearing retirement, or are recently retired. Have questions about ministerial standing, the MID process, Boundary Training, or Information Review? Contact Kelsey via email or phone at 515.421.0951.

Want to learn more more about Kelsey’s work in our conferences? View our background check resources, general conference forms, and resources for becoming a UCC pastor.

Aidan Spencer – Communications Specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Aidan manages and develops conference events, publications, websites, and social media platforms. Have questions about advertising your local church event, registration for conference events, sharing a news story from your congregation, or our digital resources? Contact Aidan via email or phone at 515.421.0296. Want to schedule a conversation? Look at Aidan’s calendar.

Want to learn more about Aidan’s work in our conferences? Visit our calendar page to explore national, conference, and local church events, visit our Vimeo channel to view staff vlogs and virtual worship materials, or visit the IA, NE, and SD Facebook pages to connect with us on social media.

Kim Springer – Executive Assistant

Pronouns: she/her

Kim serves as the office manager for the Des Moines Office and assistant to the Executive Conference Minister. Are you one of our partner organizations needing assistance or have questions about mailing something to one of our offices? Contact Kim via email or phone at 515.809.7775. As Kim manages our Des Moines office, you can also reach her through at office phone: 515.277.6369.

Want to learn more about Kim’s work in our conferences? View our general conference forms and Iowa welcome page.

Placerville Camp Staff:

South Dakota Conference

Kerry Steever – Placerville Camp Director

Pronouns: he/him

Kerry manages Placerville Camp operations which include administration, promotion, booking, maintenance, camp program coordination, summer staff recruitment, cooking, and hospitality. Have general questions about Placerville Camp or registration for their events and programs? Contact Kerry via email or phone at 605.342.1390. 

Want to learn more about Kerry’s work at Placerville Camp? Visit the Placerville Camp website or Facebook page.