Kenmare, North Dakota sits on the eastern edge of the Bakken Oil Rush. ReNew Church in Kenmare, a new church start of the Dakotas Conference, is reaching out to those who are looking to connect and renew their lives with God. “We are a casual church with a contemporary attitude,“ said Pastor Joddy Meidinger, ReNew UMC. “We welcome you in your jeans and comfy clothes."

"Our church is full of misfits. Because we have people that say, I am not the church type. I am not a religious person. We are all just misfits. We are just a bunch of broken people," said Rachel Edwards, ReNew UMC Dream Team leader. The Dream Team is the group that is driving the vision to reach out to the least, lost and lonely in the area.  

The biggest challenge for ReNew has been the acquisition and remodeling of the 1907 building. "We met in a local cafe, bar and the city hall before purchasing this 110 year old building, gutting it and remodeling it," described Meidinger. A former store in Kenmare, North Dakota, was purchased in the summer of 2015.  Worship was held in the building as it was being remodeled. Remodeling efforts included demolition of walls, building bathrooms and installing heating and new electrical systems.

Everyone stepped up to the challenge of the remodel. "God always had the right person stop in at the right time to make things happen," said Meidinger.

ReNew UMC averages 60-75 people in worship each week. They are reaching out to the community and those without a church home in unique ways: through small groups like "a safe place to talk" group, soup and other community events, an afterschool program and more.

The family atmosphere is inviting and reaching the people in Kenmare who do not know the promises of Christ.

Renewing Lives in Kenmare from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.