Leadership

Jim’s journey with UCCI began in early 2020 as the facilities lead at Cedar Valley, UCCI’s site in West Bend, WI. His passion for outdoor ministry and demonstrated servant leadership moved him into the role of director of ministry and site operations in November of 2021.

Jim’s broad vocational expertise makes it likely that guests will find him leading vespers, helping in the kitchen, winterizing a waterfront, as well as providing organizational management, strategic planning, development guidance, and spiritual grounding.

Before joining UCCI, Schleif served as the settled Pastor and Teacher at both St. John’s UCC in Slinger and Hartford, WI. Before acknowledging a calling to ministry late in vocational life, Schleif served for eight years in the US Navy Nuclear Power Program (submarines) and 28 years in commercial nuclear power generation and emergency management. The combination of engineering and technical skills, plant operations, and supervisory and organizational leadership roles have all helped prepare him to step into this role. Jim facilitated the collaborative group that renamed and rededicated Daycholah Center in October 2021. This work effectively intersected the interests of UCCI, the Ho-Chunk UCC Church in Black River Falls, WI, the Alliance for Justice, and the Creation Care Team of the Wisconsin Conference UCC.

“The UCCI journey has been a true challenge over the last few years. Much has changed both internally and externally, but what remains constant is the transformational capacity of outdoor ministry. I look forward to future growth and a sustainable business practice that holds true to our core ministry. I ask for your continued prayers and invite you individually and collectively to consider how you might “Return to Sacred Ground”.