Our area has recently welcomed two new pastors. Last week, the Journal introduced Robert Moeller, the new leader at St. John’s Lutheran in Britton. This week, we turn our attention to another new face in the local clergy—Pastor Rob Moorlach, who recently took the pulpit at United Methodist in Britton.
Though Moorlach was born overseas in Holland, he spent his formative years in the Brandon Valley area. Raised in the Wesleyan faith, he graduated from Brandon Valley High School before heading south to attend Bartlesville Wesleyan College.
Initially, Moorlach pursued a business degree, but a friend, noticing his distaste for math, encouraged him to explore his strengths in teaching and public speaking. Taking that advice to heart, he spoke with the head of the religion department and promptly switched his major to Christian Education. This decision set him on a path that eventually led to Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Another unexpected turn—again prompted by a friend’s suggestion—led him to pursue a Master of Divinity degree, and by 1991, he was ordained as a pastor.
As he considered a future in the Wesleyan clergy, Moorlach faced encouragement to marry and start a family in order to serve as a full-time pastor—something that wasn’t necessarily in his plans. However, another pivotal conversation with a friend, Pastor David Miller of the United Methodist Church, steered him in a new direction. At Miller’s suggestion, Moorlach explored opportunities within the Methodist tradition, a move that ultimately reshaped his journey.
Moorlach credits Miller and his other friends for shaping the direction of his life, even suggesting it was divine intervention. “I think that God sent those people into my path” he emphasized. “He used my friends to guide me.”
Before long, he became a fully ordained United Methodist pastor and took charge of a three-point parish based in Crystal, located in far northern North Dakota.
Over the years, Moorlach’s ministry took him across the Upper Midwest and beyond. He served as a pastor in Howard, S.D., before moving to Groton. In addition to his pastoral duties, he took on the role of Director of Benefits for United Methodist ministers—a position in which his administrative talents stood out. Recognizing his abilities, church leadership invited him to serve in that capacity in Kentucky.
However, a pastor shortage soon drew him back to the Midwest, where he took on a parish in Jackson, Minn. In the years following the COVID pandemic, Moorlach arrived in Oakes, stepping in after the sudden passing of the United Methodist pastor there. But changes within the denomination soon led Oakes and several other United Methodist churches to disaffiliate from the main branch of the church.
With retirement on the horizon, Moorlach faced a difficult choice. Not wanting to be left in limbo, he chose to remain with the United Methodist Church. That decision brought him back to familiar ground, serving once again in Groton while also ministering to the congregation in Conde.
In the meantime, Britton’s United Methodist Church had been without a pastor for some time. So when Moorlach’s superintendent asked if he’d be willing to preach there as well, his response was simple: “Why not?”
Now several weeks into his new role, Moorlach is settling in and enjoying getting to know the congregation. He describes the church community as warm and welcoming, and they’ve been receptive to his preaching style—which includes a 45-minute service and uplifting contemporary music.
When asked what people can expect from his sermons, Moorlach was clear: “What you will hear from me is messages from the Bible. That’s my text. I also strive to build a relationship with Jesus Christ and teach who he is and what he’s done for us.” He emphasized that his sermons are approachable and easy to understand, ensuring that anyone, regardless of their background, can engage with the message.
Beyond the pulpit, Moorlach enjoys leading Bible studies and hopes to start one in Britton in the near future. When he’s not ministering, he values time with his family, which includes his three brothers and their children. A devoted sports fan, he also enjoys cheering on the Minnesota Twins.
Pastor Moorlach invites anyone interested to attend worship at Britton’s United Methodist Church. Services are held Sundays at 11:15 a.m.
“I would love to have people come check us out,” he said.
