April 20, 2026
Meet Amber
Doctor of Ministry; Master of Divinity; Certificate of Completion in Training for Spiritual Direction (Listening People to Life), Kairos University
Parkston, SD
Kairos Faculty Mentor, Pastor of Youth and Faith Formation at Mitchell Downtown First UMC, and host of Confident Clergy Women Podcast.
We asked Amber a few questions to learn more about her journey at Kairos. Here is what we discovered.
What led you to Kairos University?
When I felt God calling me to pastoral ministry, I knew I wanted to get my Master of Divinity. However, as a wife and mom of four, it was not reasonable to relocate my family in order to go to seminary. Knowing that at Kairos University I could earn my degree from anywhere, and I wouldn’t have to take out a loan to do so, was huge for me and my family.
What I love most about Kairos is the competency based learning, which allowed me to use the gifts God has given me in both my learning and as a disciple. I never thought I would go back to school, but once I started at Kairos, I could not seem to stop learning!
What moments or experiences at Kairos have been most meaningful in your journey?
The friendships and connections I have made around the world are a blessing to me each day. The faculty and students in the Wesley House of Study had a big impact on me during my time at Kairos. A small group of students from my Listening People to Life cohort still meet monthly and connect on WhatsApp almost daily. We have a deeper spiritual friendship than any other I have ever experienced. When we meet, we engage in connection and spiritual practices together and support each other in our spiritual direction careers. I would have never thought my closest friends would be from various parts of America, Germany, Ukraine, Taiwan, and Canada. Six of us even met last year in Texas, it was simply amazing!
How has your love for Jesus grown during your time at Kairos?
Kairos equipped me in many ways. Being educated in a diverse community has given me greater empathy for those who think and believe differently than me, both in my community and the churches I have served.
What advice do you have for someone considering attending Kairos University?
There is a place for you at Kairos. So many people are ready to support and encourage you as you pursue higher education, and help you grow closer to Jesus in the process.
How can the Kairos Community continue to support and pray for you in your current role?
I would appreciate continued support in sharing my podcast, Confident Clergy Women. It began as my Doctor of Ministry project, and I don’t plan to stop any time soon. Through the podcast, I want to relentlessly encourage women in ministry by sharing their stories and building a community where women support one another in this hard and holy work.