Jim Oleson serves as pastor at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. He came here after serving for 12 years as pastor of the United Church of Christ of Chamberlain, SD, where he had been for slightly more than twelve years. After careers as an Air Force officer and a computer programmer/analyst for the State of South Dakota, Jim felt a powerful call to enter seminary. With the encouragement and support of his family and his home congregation of First Congregational UCC in Pierre, SD, he entered Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis just before his 50th birthday. He graduated with honors from Eden in May 2012. Originally hoping to pursue a PhD and teach at the university or seminary level, he found that he had a real passion for parish ministry, a passion which led him to pursue ordination. That passion has not diminished, and has led him to great joy in his work as pastor and teacher. He was called as pastor to St. Paul’s in February of 2025. Jim’s wife of nearly 40 years, Liza, is originally from the Philippines, and they met when he was in the Air Force. It was love at first sight. They have three adult children and four grandchildren. His hobbies include languages (especially Biblical Greek and Hebrew), music, cooking, reading, and being outdoors.
