CHURCH LEADERSHIP
The staff and leadership here at New Underwood Community Church is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. Each of them are seeking to grow in Christ even as they pour into others.
JAKE JULSON
Pastor
Jake Julson grew up north of Quinn, SD. He was ranching north of New Underwood with his wife and five children, making ends meet by grading 91 miles of Meade County Road at 3 mph, when God called him to begin pastoring at the New Underwood Community Church. Jake still runs cows when he is not shepherding the flock, and is now the marvelous father of seven kids.
"But in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." -1 Peter 3:15
HEATHER NIEDERWERDER
Wee Warriors Coordinator
Heather and her husband Marty have been happily married for 33 years and reside near Hereford. Together, they have raised three daughters who share their love for God and dedication to agriculture and rural life. Their family is expanding to include three wonderful sons-in-law and five dynamic grandchildren, who bring immense joy to their lives. Heather cherishes every moment spent watching her grandkids explore their interests and passions.
With a strong desire to impact the lives of children, Heather embraced the opportunity to teach preschoolers a couple of years ago. Known for her grandmotherly kindness, she delights her little “kids” with treats (sometimes to the dismay of parents), but the greatest joy comes from witnessing God work in their hearts and minds.
Heather’s journey with God has deepened over the years, evolving into a relationship built on faith, knowledge, and trust. While she continues to seek wisdom and understanding, she finds comfort in God’s perfect timing, both in her life and within the Wee Warriors study. One of her guiding principles is found in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” a verse she strives to live by as she encourages and supports those around her.
ERICA VENHUIZEN
Children's Church Coordinator
Hello!
My name is Erica Venhuizen, and I am the Children’s Church
Coordinator!
A little bit about me:
-I grew up east of New Underwood on a dairy
farm/ranch. I attended school and church here, and I love giving back to the
community that helped shape me.
-I am a third-grade teacher and volleyball coach in
Hermosa. This is my 5th year there, and I absolutely love it!
-I recently completed my school bus CDL and am
looking forward to driving for some activities!
-I am a volunteer firefighter and certified EMT
with the Fairburn Volunteer Fire Department.
-This summer I had the privilege of participating
in a mission’s trip to Puerto Rico. It was such an honor to get to be a part of
God working in the lives of 85+ middle and high school students.
-I am constantly amazed at the goodness and
faithfulness of our God. Though I have a bit of a crazy life, He gives me so
many chances to slow down and enjoy the beauty of His creation. I am so very
thankful for the grace He shows me each and every day, and I am thankful for
the ability to share His love with others!
"Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7
TIM MCGRIFF
Church board member
RV sales, land developer, and livestock equipment sales.
I trust in God fully. He is the giver of all things good. I wear His armor daily.
"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" - Matthew 25:35-40
KEVIN TISH
Church board member
I was born and raised in a Christian household with family that instilled those values from a young age. Melanie and I married in 2004, and we were blessed with a daughter Josephine (Josie) in 2010. When Covid hit, we struggled with many issues and the ways that this church welcomed us and intensified our relationships with God and each other has been invaluable.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” -James 1:19-20
DANIEL HRUBY
Church board member
Hi, my name is Daniel Hruby. My wife (Kimmy) and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary in September of this year. We have been blessed with a wonderful marriage that has seen both times of blessing and seasons of trial. We have 4 sons 13, 12, 11, and almost 10.
God very clearly led us to South Dakota in 2022. God provided me a job as an electrician, which I greatly enjoy. Shortly after moving to the ''605'' we made the choice to become members of this church. I was elected onto the board of the church in 2024.
I came into a saving relationship with Jesus as my Savior in January of 2007. My walk with God got really serious when my wife and I went through pre-marital counseling. We were called to a life of righteousness different than anything either of us had ever before known or seen. We were at our previous church for over twelve years and while there I served on the board for over nine years. A requirement of that board was to fill the pulpit in the absence of our pastor. Little to my knowledge, our pastor was called to serve in another capacity away from our church. A pattern was established and of the nine years I served on the board, six of them (not consecutive) were without a pastor. God challenged me. I felt too young (as the youngest member of the board by 10 years) to be in the position of board elder let alone being able to fill the pulpit. However, my wife and parents will tell you that when it gets tough, I dig. That's exactly what I did. I dug into God's word. One of my early sermons was entitled "Nobody." I preached about the nobodies that God uses and realized I was one He was equipping to do His work. Out of those years has come a heart for churches who are searching for pastors. I have been the church search committee and board member without a pastor and it can be difficult. I currently help to fill the pulpit at three area churches. My wife calls me a 'circuit preacher'. Church has been foundational to my growth and I enjoy the personal growth God provides from researching and digging into His Word.
One verse that means a lot to me is, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend,'' John 15:13. I have always had a heart to help others. It reminds me of the great sacrifice Christ made for me, a sinner, and yet He paid my price anyway. I want to serve as sacrificially as He did. I hope my life will always point to Him.
DYLAN PHILIPS
Church board member
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for that shall be satisfied." - Matthew 5 3-6
The Sermon on the Mount is my favorite passage from Christ. It reaffirms my hope and knowledge of his victory in the end.
I was raised right here in New Underwood. I married my high school sweetheart Lexxy Phillips and have two wonderful kiddos with her, Dax and Aurora. We came to walk deeper with Christ as a family and have been attending New Underwood Community church for the last 7 years. I hope to show the love of Christ through service and ministry to our whole community.
LAWRENCE HOCKENBARY
Church board member
Over the years, as I have aged, so has my faith and trust in God. Prayer is very important. Even in the smallest of things He shows Himself to show me how BIG He is. I very much enjoy singing and praising God in our worship time. I am thankful for His grace and mercy in my gift of singing praises to Him.
I work for Black Gold Capital LLC in Rapid City. I drive truck for them most of the time.
"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
- 1 Peter 5:1-4
Donna Niederwerder
Bookkeeper/Bible study leader
I grew up going to church, Sunday school, VBS, - anything and everything associated with church, but I never really met Jesus until my late 20s. A life crisis pressed me to surrender myself to him, and oh my, how He answered! The surrendering of oneself can be an ongoing struggle, but that leads me to two of my favorite verses:
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
“And we . . . are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18.
KIM MCGRIFF
Kitchen coordinator/ church custodian/Bible study leader
New Underwood holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Not only do we love living here; in this church is where I found my relationship with God. We have made dear friends here too that we call brothers and sisters in Christ, they are like true family. I have enjoyed watching numerous kids grow up here too. I started with High Point in 2012 and was helping with the Creators Kids until last year when I stayed in the kitchen to help with Wednesday suppers. I also feel blessed to be involved with the Tuesday morning ladies group.
A verse that always holds deep in my heart is Ps 100:1-5: "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He who makes us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with Thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
TRISTA REINERT
Music ministry leadership intern
CHASTITY JULSON
Women's and children's ministry coordinator
Chastity came to know Jesus at the ripe old age of three, when she knelt and prayed to receive Christ on the living room floor with her mother leading her to Christ. She has been given much in the way of excellent training in the Scriptures and in excellent examples in her parents, her home church in Gillette, Wyoming, a Bible camp in a canyon near Maurine, SoDak, her two final years of high school at Sunshine Bible Academy, and many other moments where God worked in and through innumerable people in order to grow her. Through a rough health journey and the attendant discipline of strict diet and lifestyle changes, Chastity grew even more deeply in the Word. She has truly found that God is faithful, and that God is good, and she is passionate about sharing these truths and her love of Scripture in every capacity possible.
"The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
if we are faithless, He remains faithful--
for He cannot deny Himself." - 2 Timothy 2:11-13
"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverant babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith."
- 1 Timothy 6:20-21
"But as for you, continue in what you have believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 3:14-5
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