RUFUS K. KUDEE
Elk River,MN
Summary
Human services professional dedicated to enhancing emotional well-being and fostering community connections. Expertise in pastoral care, crisis intervention, and leading support groups, focusing on measurable outcomes that support congregational health. Known for compassionate communication and collaboration across diverse settings.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Clergy
Christ Lutheran Church
Arcadia, Wisconsin
01.2023 - 08.2026
- Served as Minister of Word and Sacrament, providing congregations with preaching, teaching, sacramental leadership, pastoral care, administration, and community engagement.
- Preach and teach the Gospel and work with all ages.
- Provide comprehensive pastoral care and counseling to congregation members
- Conduct one-on-one or group counseling sessions focused on emotional and spiritual well-being
- Providing assistance during therapeutic communication and programming
- Provided emotional and social support to members through conversation and active listening.
- Communicates and interacts appropriately with congregation members and their families
- Maintains confidentiality of members' information, including keeping accurate and complete records
- Maintained a safe environment by following safety protocols and guidelines.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm in serving congregation members and addressing their needs.
- Develop and lead support groups for grief
- Conducted visitations to members' homes, nursing homes, and hospitals to provide support and care
- I believe in interacting with people in the local community and building a healthy and more robust relationship among people of all ages
- Believe in collaboration and cooperation in working with colleagues
- Support children, youth and families through relational ministry, mentoring, and faith-building experiences.
- Lead Confirmation, youth gatherings, milestone ministries, and intergenerational events.
- Fostered congregational engagement in service, justice, and outreach initiatives.
Associate Clergy
Calvary Lutheran Church
Green Bay, Wisconsin
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Served as Minister of Word and Sacrament, providing congregations with preaching, teaching, sacramental leadership, pastoral care, administration, and community engagement.
- Provide comprehensive pastoral care and counseling to congregation members
- Conduct one-on-one or group counseling sessions focused on emotional and spiritual well-being
- Provided emotional and social support to members through conversation, active listening, and re-orientation.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm while providing compassionate care and support to community members.
- Facilitated member growth by helping maintain the highest levels of functioning and skills.
- Engaged individuals of all ages in diverse community activities to foster connection and inclusion.
- Supported children, youth, and families through relational ministry, mentoring, and faith-building experiences that strengthened community bonds.
- Lead Confirmation, youth gatherings, milestone ministries, and intergenerational events.
- Encourages congregational involvement in service, justice, and outreach ministries.
- Communicates and interacts appropriately with congregation members and their families
- Maintains confidentiality of members' information, including keeping accurate and complete records
- Provide visitation at members' home, nursing home, and hospital
- Communicate with members through phone calls, emails, mail and personal conversations
- Believe in collaboration and cooperation in working with colleagues
- Encourages congregational involvement in service, justice, and outreach ministries.
Clergy
Bethany and Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church
Williams, Minnesota
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Provide comprehensive pastoral care and mental health counseling to congregation members
- Coordinated with mental health professionals to effectively address congregation members' mental health needs
- Conduct one-on-one or group counseling sessions focused on emotional and spiritual well-being
- Facilitated workshops and support groups on mental health topics, fostering community understanding and support
- Develop and lead support groups for grief, addiction recovery, and mental health issues
- Assisted in pastoral care and counseling, supporting individuals and families through personal crises
- Assisted members in achieving optimal functioning and independence within the congregation
- Providing assistance during therapeutic communication and programming
- Provided emotional and social support to members through conversation and active listening.
- Maintains confidentiality of members' information, including keeping accurate and complete records
- Ensured safety protocols were followed during all interactions and activities
- Conducted visitations to homes, nursing homes, and hospitals to provide compassionate support to members in need
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Wingspan Life Resources
Saint Paul, Minnesota
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Helping people with disabilities by offering personal care, daily living assistance and encouragement toward greater independence and well-being.
- Provided personal care and assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), ensuring safety, dignity and comfort for each resident.
- Implemented person-centered plans to assist people in achieving their personal goals and meet their needs and desires
- Assisted with various tasks to enhance resident care and support facility operations. to support overall resident care and facility operations.
- Assisted individuals in assessing needs, developing residential and habilitation plans, and setting achievable goals to enhance skill development and tracking progress.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team (IDT) members and external agencies to plan, implement and monitor individualized treatment goals.
- Monitored residents for health and behavioral changes, ensuring timely reporting of abnormalities to charge nurse or supervisor for immediate intervention.
- Recorded daily health information such as vital signs and meal intake to maintain accurate resident records. such as vital signs, meal intake, bowel movements, and other required health records.
- Performed additional duties to support overall resident care and facility operations.
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
REM Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Provide counseling and direct support to people with developmental disabilities
- Delivered personal care and assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), prioritizing safety, dignity, and comfort for each resident.
- Provide care and support daily to residents and intervene during crisis periods
- Constantly monitor and supervise residents to ensure their safety within the facility
- Monitored residents for behavioral changes during daily activities to ensure well-being.
- Observed residents for changes in health or behavior and promptly reported abnormalities to the charge nurse, supervisor or follow the chain of command.
- Maintained accurate and organized records of residents' activities and health status, ensuring compliance with care protocols.
- Supported residents in daily activities, fostering independence and enhancing quality of life.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to plan and implement individualized treatment goals.
- Collaborate with other professionals to develop treatment plans for residents
Paraprofessional
Saint Paul School District 622
Saint Paul, Minnesota
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Provide one-on-one and small group support to students with special needs, adhering to individualized education plans
- Engaged with students with disabilities to support their learning needs
- Supported lead teacher in delivering effective classroom instruction and managing diverse student groups
- Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment, promoting social and academic growth
- Collaborate with teachers, school staff, and parents to address students' educational and developmental needs
- Implemented behavior management strategies to foster a supportive and focused learning environment
- Prepare instructional materials and resources under the guidance of the lead teacher
- Monitored and engaged students during recess, lunch, and field trips to ensure safety and positive interactions
Chaplain Intern
University of Minnesota-Fairview
Minneapolis, Minnesota
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Developed overview of clinical pastoral education program
- Provided spiritual and emotional support to individuals in diverse settings, fostering resilience and hope
- Empowered individuals facing challenges through targeted spiritual and emotional support, enhancing their coping strategies
- Provide non-judgmental listening and counseling to people going through difficult times
- Provide counseling to a patient with chemical dependence
- Facilitated prayer and mediation sessions for individuals and groups, promoting community and shared healing
- Respond to crises and provide support during emergencies
International Student Facilitator
Luther Seminary
Saint Paul, Minnesota
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Welcomed and provided transportation for international students from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to ensure smooth arrival
- Organized and conducted individual orientation sessions for international students to facilitate acclimation to the new environment
- Accompanied international students to cultural events in the Twin Cities to enhance their cultural integration
- Work closely with faculty or staff to support international students
- Acted as emergency contact for international students during crisis situations
Photo Lab Technician
Walmart
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Operated and maintained photo lab equipment, including printers, scanners, and self-service kiosks; processed film negatives and produced high-quality photo prints according to company standards.
- Conducted quality control checks on finished photo products, calibrated machines, and monitored lab chemistry to maintain consistent and accurate results.
- Provided customer service by greeting customers, answering questions, assisting with product selection, and resolving issues or referring concerns to management.
- Adhered to safety procedures, completed training, and upheld compliance standards to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
Inventory Department
Cardinal Health
Grove Port, Ohio
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Placed pharmaceutical product orders based on inventory reports and forecasts to maintain optimal stock levels
- Receives, validates and ensures the quantity of pharmaceutical medical products matches packing slips and orders
- Conducted regular inventory counts to maintain accuracy and reliability of stock records
- Checked in, stored, picked, and prepared products for customer delivery to ensure accurate and timely order fulfillment
- Enters medical product data into the database and releases product for use
- The ability to monitor inventory levels and run reports to analyze slow-moving products, fast-moving products, and expiration date data
- Leads marketing efforts to increase awareness, engagement, and program participation.
Education
Master in Theology -
Luther Seminary
MN01-2018
Master of Divinity -
Luther Seminary
MN01-2015
Practical Nursing -
Northland Community and Technical College
MN01-2011
Bachelor of Art - Biblical Study and Theology
All Nations For Christ Bible Institute
Edo State, Nigeria01-1999
Skills
- Pastoral Care & Counseling
- Mental Health Counseling
- Crisis Intervention & Leadership
- Spiritual Guidance & Support
- Support Group Facilitation
- Workshop & Seminar Leadership
- Person-centered care
- ADL support
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Team collaboration
- Excellent communication
- Public Speaking & Presentation
- Documentation management
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Calm under pressure
- Flexible and adaptable
- Task prioritization
- Communication & Relationship Building
Timeline
Clergy
Christ Lutheran Church
01.2023 - 08.2026
Associate Clergy
Calvary Lutheran Church
01.2019 - 01.2023
Clergy
Bethany and Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church
01.2015 - 01.2019
Paraprofessional
Saint Paul School District 622
01.2014 - 01.2015
Chaplain Intern
University of Minnesota-Fairview
01.2014 - 01.2015
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Wingspan Life Resources
01.2013 - 01.2015
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
REM Minnesota
01.2013 - 01.2015
International Student Facilitator
Luther Seminary
01.2013 - 01.2015
Photo Lab Technician
Walmart
01.2009 - 01.2011
Inventory Department
Cardinal Health
01.2004 - 01.2009
Master in Theology -
Luther Seminary
Master of Divinity -
Luther Seminary
Practical Nursing -
Northland Community and Technical College
Bachelor of Art - Biblical Study and Theology
All Nations For Christ Bible Institute