The Church Plant at Shaw
Since MSC’s start, we’ve said that we exist for the people who’ve not yet come through our doors—for the thousands of people who don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Until now, we’ve really been talking about our local community in and around O’Fallon. But on the weekend of April 17/18, Pastor Mike shared some incredible news with our church family: Beginning July 1, we’ll be expanding our ministry into the city of St. Louis through a new church led by Pastor Keith! BIG news, right? We know you’ll have lots of questions about this huge “next step” in MSC’s journey, and so Pastor Mike has put together some detailed FAQs for you.
Why is Keith leaving?
Honestly? Because God says so! In all seriousness, Keith began feeling a nudge toward urban ministry several months ago. Over time, that nudge has turned into a calling. We’re certain this is the path God has for Keith because doors are opening all over the place to make it happen.
Speaking of “doors opening,” where are the “doors” of this new church going to be?
This is about the coolest thing—and a total confirmation of God’s calling on this new ministry. In mid-March, Pastor Mike and Pastor Keith met with members of Shaw Avenue United Methodist Church (just across the street from the Botanical Gardens). The Shaw Ave congregation was essentially four or five ladies who were meeting on Sunday mornings for a Bible study. And when given the opportunity to be the site of this new congregation Pastor Keith will be starting, the members of that church did something incredibly gracious and heroic. They offered to resign as members of the board of that church and invite members of the new church launch team—current members of Morning Star Church—to become the new board members. In effect, they handed over the property and welcomed the hope of mission and ministry being resurrected: that Shaw Ave UMC will once again be a place of eternal life-change—a place where God meets people right where they are and helps them take the next step in their spiritual journey.
Will we see Keith again? (before Christ’s return or the resurrection!)
Keith is being appointed to the new city church, so in due time, he’ll transition to full-time there. Although the appointment officially begins on July 1, Keith will remain on staff at MSC in part-time capacity through the summer. And while Keith will be giving his full attention to starting this new congregation, there will be opportunities for MSC and this new church to partner together in mission and ministry. So while he’ll be gone from our staff, we intend to see him from time to time.
Is anyone else from MSC going with him?
Keith will be developing a new volunteer/staff team for his new church. However, the MSC staff will be resourcing him and mentoring that new team for as long as they need us. Now . . . while the staff may not be heading to the city with Keith, we’ll be inviting you—the church family—to consider being a part of the launch team there for three, six, or 12 months (or forever if that’s how you’re being led!).
How is this funded?
This new church will be funded primarily by the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church. This funding will basically pay Keith’s salary for three years. The tithes and offering of the new church launch team will provide additional resources. And then the majority of the funding will switch to the new congregation’s tithes and offerings.
How can we bless and support this new ministry?
The model of starting a church like this is often referred to as a Mother-Daughter church start. Parents have hopes and dreams, and responsibilities for their children. So just like any parents helping their child start off on their own, we hope this new church will grow bigger and do even greater things than we do. To that end, MSC will be organizing volunteer teams to do remodeling work on the Shaw Ave building and help serve at the monthly services/events from August through December (a church launch strategy that will lead to weekly worship services beginning around Christmas or the New Year). There will be opportunities to offer financial support and to be part of a seed congregation that commits to worshipping and serving at the new church for a season. And while all these are critical, the single most important way that all of us can begin to support him right now is through prayer—asking the Holy Spirit to lead every decision that is made and prepare hearts for the desire to come and be part of this adventure!
We're also throwing a "shower" for the new church. Take a look at the requested items.
How can I find out more about what’s going on and/or ways to get involved?
We’re offering an informational meeting on Sunday, May 16 at 6:30 pm. If you'd like to take advantage of our free childcare for that session, please shoot us an email with your kiddos' first names and birthdates no later than May 9. Thanks!
Okay…. so what about Dr. Curt?
For those of you who aren’t aware, Dr. Curt Scarborough, who teaches our Deeper class, is Keith’s dad. Dr. Curt is a huge blessing to our church family: His teaching in the Deeper Class ministers to so many, and his prayers and wisdom are something our staff and congregation cherish. The good news is that Dr. Curt loves MSC as much as we love him, and he’s going to remain connected to MSC and committed to teaching and encouraging all of us to go DEEPER in our understanding and commitment of faith. Yeah, we know that Keith won’t allow MSC to have the corner market on his dad, but as long as he’s willing to share, we’re good with that! If anything, God is expanding not MSC’s ministry not only through Pastor Keith, but through Dr. Curt, as well!
Will someone be replacing Keith?
So, we know you get that no one could ever “replace” Keith… but yes, another Associate Pastor will be appointed to MSC on July 1. His name is Pastor Jimmy Cooper. (Okay, the name his momma gave him is just "Jimmy Cooper." We added the “pastor” stuff… although it was well-earned in seminary!).
What do we know about this Pastor Jimmy Cooper?
Jimmy comes with a wealth of education and experience for someone so young. While he was finishing his BS in History at Truman State University, Jimmy served as pastor of Trinity UMC in Greentop and as an associate pastor at First UMC in Kirksville. While in seminary at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), Jimmy served on the staff of Friendship UMC in Bolingbrook, IL, a vibrant, growing, Chicago-land church.
For the past two years, Jimmy has been appointed to serve as a part-time associate pastor just down the road from us at First UMC in St. Charles. Why was he part-time? He’s been completing his dissertation work for his PhD in evangelism and theology. (Yep, he’s that smart.)
Jimmy and his wife, Erin, will have been married for six years this May. Erin is originally from the St. Charles area; she grew up in St. Peters and graduated from Fort Zumwalt South High School. They have one son, Noah, who will be two in June. They are also expecting their second child in mid-October. Oh, and for those of you from the St. Louis area who are just dying to ask this question, Jimmy graduated from St. Charles West High School in 1999.
How did we come to find Jimmy?
First of all, just like Pastor Mike, Jimmy will be appointed by the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church to serve MSC. So they’re the ones who’ve made this “match.” That said, Pastor Mike has known Jimmy for a couple years. In fact, Mike began mentoring Jimmy when he moved back from Illinois to St. Charles. For the past two years, they’ve been meeting together monthly. And while they weren’t really sure whether or not Jimmy would ever be a part of MSC, Jimmy feels called by God to start a new church someday, so he thought Mike would be a great guy to learn from.
“Another” new church start?
That’s right! God is doing amazing work at MSC, and we have the privilege in this season of our ministry to partner with God and the United Methodist Church to help start new churches. We honestly don’t have any details of how, when, or where right now. Our hunch is that it will be out west of MSC, but that’s just our best guess right now. Furthermore, we don’t know if this will be a new church like Pastor Keith’s, or if it will be a second campus or satellite of MSC, or if it will be some hybrid or model we haven’t even yet discovered. Here’s what we know: God has sent us a great new pastor in Jimmy—full of passion and promise! We’ll be exploring the where, when, and how together. And as we discover the answers, we’ll share them with the entire congregation.
If you have questions not addressed in this FAQ, please let us know by calling or emailing the church office (636.561.5680 or msc.office@mscwired.org).