MEET OUR PASTOR

Rev. Dustin Bartlett has served in the South Dakota Conference of the United Church of Christ for over a decade—as both a licensed and ordained minister. He holds a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and a second master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from Black Hills State University.

Since 2021, Rev. Bartlett has been the pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Watertown. He is passionate about preaching that challenges and inspires, justice work that embodies God’s love, and cultivating a church where all people—especially LGBTQ+ individuals and others historically excluded from religious spaces—are welcomed and affirmed. He believes that God is love, and that love, when applied to social systems, is called justice.

Rev. Bartlett leads with a collaborative spirit, drawing on training in Art of Hosting practices to foster shared leadership and meaningful dialogue within the congregation. In addition to his ministry, he is an avid fan of Doctor Who, a craft cocktail enthusiast with experience behind the bar at a South Dakota speakeasy, and the forever Dungeon Master of his Dungeons & Dragons group.

He lives in Watertown with his wife, Amber, and is the proud father of four children.