A connection made years ago at NeSoDak Bible Camp has come full circle with the installation of the Rev. Jesse and Rev. Lexy Carson as pastors at Britton Lutheran Parish.
The Carsons are new to the congregation but familiar faces in northeast South Dakota. Jesse grew up in Langford, graduating from Langford Area High School in 2012, while Lexy was raised on her family’s farm between Webster and Bristol and graduated from Webster Area in 2012.
Both were active in their home congregations growing up. Jesse said he felt a call to ministry early on as a member of Langford Evangelical Lutheran.
“My pastor, Charlie Bunk, helped give me a push in that direction,” Jesse said. After high school, he attended Northern State University, earning a degree in business administration before pursuing seminary.
For Lexy, the path to the pulpit wasn’t as immediate.
“I loved growing up in the church and teaching Sunday school, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. At Augustana University, she studied government and international affairs, traveled abroad, and took part in a mission trip to Australia. “I realized I loved talking to people about faith and sharing God’s word.”
The two met as camp counselors at NeSoDak and later enrolled in seminary in Sioux Falls. They both served parishes while in school—Jesse in Oldham and Ramona and Lexy in Madison. The couple married in 2019, graduated from seminary soon after, and later made the decision to join the LCMC Lutheran denomination. Their first call took them to Minnesota, where they spent four years pastoring congregations in Alexandria and Osakis.
Back in Britton, longtime pastors Terrill and Sara Sorensen were preparing to retire, and church leaders reached out to the Carsons. At the time, Jesse said the move wasn’t right.
“We had only been in Minnesota for around two years, so it wasn’t really the best time for us to leave,” he explained.
But when the call came again earlier this year, the timing was different. “We started to talk about it,” the Carsons said. “There was definitely an appeal to be closer to family, especially with our small children. And being able to do ministry together instead of always going separate ways was very meaningful to us.”
With approval from the congregation, the couple accepted the call and began serving in early August. Jesse is the full-time pastor, while Lexy serves part-time at First Lutheran in Britton, Pleasant Valley, and Lake City Lutheran.
“For the first time, all five of us get to worship together,” Lexy said. “That’s pretty special.”
The couple praised the foundation laid by their predecessors, the Sorensens. “We feel good about stepping into a situation that has been in good hands,” Jesse said.
They describe their approach to ministry as personal and community-focused. “We try to be relational, to be part of people’s lives, and we love being invited to community events,” Jesse said. “We care deeply about people’s souls,” Lexy added. “By getting to know people, we can better walk alongside them and help with what’s weighing on their hearts and minds.”
The Carsons have three children—Mick, 5, Milo, 3, and Mailey, 11 months. They enjoy spending time outdoors, family activities, and playground outings. Jesse said he is excited to fish the lakes he grew up on.
The pastors invite the community to First Lutheran’s upcoming 75th Cornerstone Anniversary celebration on Sunday, Oct. 5. A special worship service will be held at 9 a.m., followed by a time of fellowship and sharing church history at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall.
First Lutheran’s regular worship schedule includes services on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in Britton, with Pleasant Valley worship at 10:30 a.m., and services at Lake City Lutheran during the summer months.
The Carsons say they are grateful to be part of the Britton community and invite everyone to join them in worship. “We’re just a piece in the story,” Lexy said. “We have a loving and merciful God with a great message to share. We can all use a word of hope and promise. If you’re tired or worried, come and rest in His word.”
