NE North Dakota News

Rachel Simonson, a pastor with twelve years of experience, has been making strides at Minot State University since January 2023. As part of the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM), Simonson focuses on aiding students in their spiritual journey during college. Originally from Moorhead, she relocated to Minot with her family and is actively involved in campus initiatives like Tuesday Soup and the Food Pantry.

In an interview with Minot State’s University Communications, Simonson shared insights into her role and experiences. She explained that her move to Minot was influenced by family ties, as her in-laws reside there. The opportunity to work with LCM was appealing because it allowed her to engage not only with Christian students but also support the broader spiritual wellness of the campus community.

Simonson described some of her responsibilities: "Tuesday Soup and the Food Pantry are two of the big ways I have been involved on campus." She emphasized creating a supportive environment for students exploring their faith. "I feel called to create a loving and supportive space where students can explore their faith," she noted.

Reflecting on challenges faced in her role, Simonson mentioned, "The biggest challenge is how to become a spiritually meaningful space on campus for as many students, faculty, and staff as possible while not having an exact roadmap for how to accomplish this."

She collaborates extensively with other campus organizations like MSU's Wellness Center and POWER Center. This collaboration helps provide resources such as food pantries and facilitates events like First Fridays.

For those struggling with spiritual wellness, Simonson advises: "Spiritual wellness is a journey and will continue to evolve, so don’t give up hope on it!"

Looking ahead, Simonson expressed excitement about upcoming initiatives including Listening for God groups and hosting Rachel Kurtz for a Queer Christian Concert event.

Outside work, Simonson enjoys spending time with family and engaging in activities such as learning French and plant-based cooking. A fun fact she shared was about living abroad during college years: "When I was in college, I got the chance to live in England for a school year."

Minot State University remains committed to providing quality education alongside fostering community engagement through various programs.