Lance Putnam

Lead Pastor

Liberty University - Billy Graham Evangelistic Association - Samaritan’s Purse - Biblical Soul Care

Lance and his wife Jennifer were born and raised in the Dakota’s with their family homesteading in South Dakota in 1896.

Lance grew up in a Christian home attending and being confirmed in a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and also attending Catholic school.  In Lance’s late teens, he began to have questions about his faith and did not get great answers to many of his questions.  In his early 20’s, Lance walked away from his faith for a few years while his life spiraled downward.

When Lance hit rock bottom, he repented and cried out to God for help.  This started Lance’s journey into deep intellectual and theological study of the Christian faith, and getting answers to all his skeptical questions. During this process, Lance started the Legacy Dads ministry to share his personal story…the good, bad, and ugly. Legacy Dads reaches thousands of listeners each week through podcasts, media, conferences, and other platforms where they advocate proven, Biblical principles for leaving a lasting legacy in Christ.

Lance spent 26 years in Army Special Operations with multiple combat tours and awards before retiring in 2021.  Lance has his Master’s degree from Liberty University, Lance and Jennifer are both trained Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and they are both also trained in Biblical Soul Care Pastoral Counseling. Lance was also a speaker for Family Life Ministries and the Grace Based Ministries and is currently an instructor and technical manager for Samaritan’s Purse and Unusual Soldiers ministries. Lance has served in numerous ministry roles over the years including youth, discipleship, church planting, worship, and missions work. 

Lance and his wife founded the Salt and Light Group ministry which conducts missions overseas in some of the most difficult and dangerous places. Lance and Jennifer have been married for 28 years and have two grown children ages 26 and 24 (Chance and Nadia). 

Lance enjoys the outdoors of the Black Hills, loves history, and has a weakness for classic rock.  Lance is willing to answer any and all questions about faith, God, the Bible, and theology.