Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Resident Bishop, Dakotas-Minnesota Area, announces the appointment of Rev. Kermit Culver to Sakakawea District Superintendent. The appointment will begin July 1, 2015.  Rev. Keith Nelson current Sakakawea District Superintendent will serve Mitchell First United Methodist Church.

“Rev. Culver is a bold spiritual leader with a deep faith and a passion for the transformative power of the gospel,” said Bishop Ough. “He has a heart for local church vitality and has successfully implemented innovative revitalization efforts, notably the re-location of Legacy UMC (formerly Bismarck First) and the shared ministry model with Moffit UMC.”

Rev. Culver is an ordained elder in the Dakotas Conference, currently serving as the senior pastor of Legacy UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota. Culver has worked with Nelson this past year coaching several congregations and pastors in the Bakken region of the district.

“I hope to continue the good work Keith Nelson has done helping churches in this district understand and embrace ministry in different ways and with different people,” said Culver. “It is my desire to continue the progress our District and Conference has made making disciples, and starting new faith communities. I tend to be a ‘glass half full’ guy, and choose to see challenges as opportunities and we have many! I am excited to help pastors and churches form new ministries with new groups of people."

The Sakakawea District is home to the Bakken Oil Rush. North Dakota has attracted thousands from across the United States and abroad, as oil companies set up hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, operations that extract tens of billions of dollars' worth of oil and gas from the Bakken shale.

The Dakotas Conference Bakken Oil Rush Ministry began in 2013 with two missionaries in Watford City, Jim and Kathie Konsor who operate a Thrift Store, host fellowship events and a small group ministry.  In 2015, a new church start has launched in Watford City under the leadership of Pastor Alyssa Quade and the Konsors.

Out in Faith Ministry in Williston is home to Katie Peterson, Church and Community Worker, deaconess. Out in Faith—Bakken Oil Rush Ministry reaches out to those seeking support in finding housing, jobs, clothing and small household items. Out in Faith Ministry together with Faith United Methodist Church in Williston conduct a weekly worship and meal called G.I.F.T. 

Renew Church in Kenmare, North Dakota, a new church start on the eastern edge of the Bakken Oil Rush, began worship in 2014.  A main street building was purchased in 2015 and is currently being renovated by the congregation under the leadership of Pastor Joddy Meddinger.

Culver hopes to expand on these efforts as well as develop new leaders for the District and the Conference, one of the many leadership talents that he will share as the District Superintendent. “God has enabled me to assist a number of folks to discover ministry as a means to utilize their gifts and fulfill their personal calling,“ said Culver.

Bishop Ough agrees. “Culver also has a strong commitment to raising up and coaching the next generation of pastoral leaders,” said Ough. “I look forward to the energy, creativity and breadth of experience Kermit will bring to the Sakakawea District and the Dakotas Cabinet.”

Kermit holds a BA degree from Dakota Wesleyan University and a M.Div. degree from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He and his wife Susan have two adult sons Adam and Jordan.