Sue Carlson, longtime leader for Women’s Ministries, Children’s Ministries and Family Ministries in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, received the North American Division Lifetime Achievement Award during the North American Division Adventist Ministries Convention in January. The honor recognized her decades of service supporting women, children and families across the conference.
Sue retired in June 2023 after 30 years of church work. Her ministry included 13 years as an elementary school teacher followed by 17 years serving the conference in leadership roles for Women’s, Children’s and Family Ministries. She also supported ministerial spouses during that time.
An educator at heart, Sue taught several grade levels and served as a teaching principal while earning her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Her love for teaching continues today as she volunteers as a music teacher at her local Adventist school.
Much of Sue’s ministry involved working closely with churches and families throughout the conference. Over the years, she and her husband, Ron Carlson, served together in numerous churches across the Mid-America region. Today, while retired, Sue still travels with him on many Sabbaths as he continues his work as president of the conference, often sharing music in local congregations.
During her years of conference leadership, Sue organized retreats, training events and ministry initiatives designed to strengthen families and build community. One of those initiatives was the God in Shoes Ministries, connecting local churches in felt-needs ministries to their local communities.
She also worked with other conferences to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking and led women in Project Shield, a ministry that teaches participants how to sew reusable feminine hygiene products for people in need.
Her ministry often included simple and personal ways of connecting with others. Whether through online Bible studies, a bread-making ministry or quiet acts of encouragement, Sue helped create spaces where people felt supported and valued.
Music has also been a central part of her service. Over the years she coordinated and provided music for camp meetings and other conference events, and she continues to minister through music in churches across the conference.
Leaders who have worked with Sue say her influence has reached far beyond the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
“It has been my privilege to learn from Sue, serve alongside her, and be mentored by her,” said DeeAnn Bragaw, director of Women’s Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. “One of my favorite things about Sue has been watching her prayerfully ask God for new ways to better serve women, children, and families—especially those who are hurting. From retreats to community outreach and everything in between, she has always been willing to try new things and then share those God-inspired ideas with other leaders.”
DeeAnn added that Sue understood the importance of creating gatherings that included biblical inspiration, practical training, laughter and opportunities to serve others.
“Honoring Sue with the Lifetime Achievement Award is such an honor, as her influence and service reaches far beyond KS–NE. We deeply thank you, Sue, for your faithful ministry,” she said.
Conference leaders say her work has also had a lasting impact within the conference.
“Sue has blessed so many across our Conference over the years and I know she will be missed,” said Mel Santos, vice president for administration of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, when Sue retired in 2023.
Ron Carlson, president of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, also reflected on her ministry.
“A huge thank you to Sue for her incredible service to the women of our Conference! Between her caring heart and impactful retreats, she’s created a vital space for connection and spiritual growth. We were so blessed by her leadership and wisdom.”
Sue shares that she has been deeply blessed through the opportunities she has had to serve alongside many dedicated and caring people in meaningful initiatives. Serving has been both a joy and a privilege for her. Above all, she says her greatest joy has been her family—being married to Ron, sharing ministry together, and being blessed with four wonderful children and seven beautiful grandchildren. She expresses heartfelt gratitude to God for these many blessings.
