I am Rev. Dr. David Ullom and I would like to take the opportunity in this letter to introduce myself to you.

I have roots in Sioux Falls as my grandfather was a house painter here before moving to farm east of Flandreau. I grew up on the farm and that is where I learned a work ethic that is a part of my personality. My parents are Robert (Bob) and Lois Ullom. I was the oldest of four children with my brother Steve and sisters Linda and Brenda.

I enjoyed playing football, wrestling and participating on the debate team and extemporaneous speaking before graduating from Flandreau Public High School. I attended SDSU in Brookings and was able to live with my grandparents on the Tomkins side after they moved to town from the farm at the end of my Sophomore year. I wrestled my Freshman year at SDSU, but didn’t feel I could take the time away from study to continue competing after that.

I married Judy the day after Christmas upon graduation from SDSU with a major in Microbiology and minors in Chemistry and History. I attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary where our first son, Mathew was born. I served the church in Wentworth, S.D. during my first summer of seminary, and did an internship at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of George, IA during my second summer.

We moved to the Zoar Presbyterian Church east of George, IA upon my graduation with a Master of Theology degree from UDTS. I subsequently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago while serving the Zoar Congregation. Most of the courses were held in Sioux Falls with the professors coming to us from Chicago.

We added three more boys to our family: Nate, Josh and Ben. Our only daughter, Alison succumbed to Reyes Syndrome just shy of her first birthday. Mat, Josh and Ben are each married and we are the proud grandparents of Noah, Levi and Aleyah.

We spent 20 years at the Zoar Church, and I also became the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ashton, IA in a yoked ministry for the last 8 years there. I have been the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Algona and Stated Supply of the First Presbyterian Church of Irvington, IA for the past 12 years.

I have been very involved with working with churches for revitalization and renewal in ministry. I participated in the PCUSA National Evangelism Gathering and have worked on the Vital Ministries Initiative in NCI Presbytery since we formed it in 2003. I have chaired the work since 2007. I have also been involved with youth ministry, leading youth mission trips and Directing Junior Nature Camp at the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji. I have also been leading camping trips to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota through the Camp on Okoboji.

I have also served as Chair or Moderator of several presbytery committees: the Small Church Committee, Presbytery Council, and Moderator of Prospect Hill Presbytery; the Long Range Planning Committee, Vital Ministries Initiative, and the Bi-Presbytery Camping Council, and am currently Vice-Moderator in North Central Iowa Presbytery.

I enjoy reading, playing guitar and singing. My spirit is fed through Christian music and contemplation. I write songs out of those times of meditation. I am refreshed and renewed through music. I also play a number of other instruments. I enjoy woodcarving, chainsaw carving, and wrestling. I love to work with youth as a certified coach. I have worked with the HS program, continue to compete, and am a registered official. I enjoy gardening and backcountry trips with my family, canoeing, hiking, and mountain climbing- I am collecting 14,000 ft. ascents.

In short, I have a passion for a wide variety of interests that is expressed as I live out my life verses found in I Thess. 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I have a passion for the things I do. I have a passion for God, and look forward to getting to know you and working together to make a difference for God through the Wild Flower Presbyterian Church.

Blessed to be a Blessing,

Pastor Dave Ullom <*}}}><