Throughout his ministry one of Rev. Kermit Culver’s main goals has been  “offering people Christ.”  Whether it is through his preaching, his personal counsel, his teaching in Bible studies, his leadership in the church, or through his actions Kermit has sought to make Jesus Christ the central focus of his life. 

Culver will quickly tell anyone that he is not a perfect follower of Jesus.  He does say that Christ has transformed his life.  Culver clearly understands that his life is a reflection of what is within him and he wants people to see the light of Christ.

Moffit Legacy connection

The Legacy Moffit connection has been guided by the leadership of Culver.  In 2010 the Methodist church in Moffit, North Dakota was facing a decision to close the doors or do something different.  A couple of church members visited Legacy UMC 35 miles away in Bismarck. 

Culver and the members in Moffit formed a relationship that has become known as  the Legacy Moffit connection.  Each week a lay member at Moffit leads the worship when it comes time for the sermon the members watch the sermon from Legacy using technology. 

The attendance at Moffit has grown from 8 to 38.  The members of the church also connect to Legacy’s, ‘Mission of the Month’, and other outreach activities.  Moffit also holds weekly bible study and several fellowship events throughout the year. 

“I went out to their Veteran’s Day service and the church was full,” noted Culver.  “It is really a lot of fun to see what’s happening.”

Culver awarded for leadership

Culver received the Harry Denman Evangelism Award on June 5, 2014 at twenty-first session of the Dakotas Conference held in Rapid City, South Dakota.  “This is a team award of all those who lead at Legacy UMC,” said Culver.

Culver noted three things that provide encouragement and hope for the church.  People cannot fear change.  Change is uncomfortable.  Do not fear leadership.  People respond to leadership.  Do not fear winning.  People must claim what winning looks like, do not be satisfied with mediocrity. 

“ Culver said,  “At Legacy we summarize it with three words discover, impact, and connect.  We define what a win looks in every area of our team as followers of Jesus who together transform the world.”

Kermit Culver is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and ordained an elder in the Dakotas Conference in 1982.  Culver has served in a number of different settings in the Dakotas Conference including: Stickney UMC, Rapid City First UMC Associate, Dakota Wesleyan University as Campus Pastor, and Legacy UMC in Bismarck. 

So far over the course of Rev. Culver’s ministry in the churches there have been well over 350 professions of faith and over 200 baptisms.  Culver is one who would say that it’s not about the numbers, but it is about lives touched by the love of God.  He would also say that the numbers matter, because the numbers represent lives.

In November of 2013, Legacy UMC moved from their original facility site on north 11th street in Bismarck to a new location on the north side of Bismarck.  This move was the culmination of many years of dreaming and working together by Kermit, the leadership, and the entire church family of Legacy UMC. 

The church facility is now in a prime location in an area of expanding housing developments along with a new grade school being built just a quarter mile to the north. 

The Legacy leadership intentionally designed their new building to focus on children’s ministry, as well as a facility to be used by the community.  In all that Legacy is seeking to be in the greater Bismarck community the central theme and focus comes directly from Kermit, the lead pastor, “offer them Christ.”

Moffit Legacy Connection from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.