Morningstar Staff
Lead Pastor
Reverend Mark Puckett
pastor@mstarumc.com
facebook.com/morningstar.pastor
Pastor Mark came to Morningstar in June of 2012. He was born in Amory, MS, and reared for his first seventeen years of life in Sulligent, AL (Lamar County). His father has been a Free Will Baptist Pastor for 50 years. Mark is married to Shelley Moor Puckett, who is a native of Florence, AL. They have two sons, Marshall, and Isaac.
God has brought Mark into several servant leadership roles throughout almost 24 years in public ministry. He has served as a Youth Pastor (FUMC of Winfield, Latham UMC of Huntsville, FUMC of Tuscumbia), an Associate Pastor (FUMC of Tuscumbia), the Senior Pastor (New Oregon UMC), the Lead & Founding/Planting Pastor (The Beacon - A New UMC), and most recently as the Lead Pastor of East Gadsden UMC. These experiences have afforded Pastor Mark the opportunity to serve established and very traditional congregations, begin new modern worship experiences within older congregations to reach younger generations, initiate and lead a small groups ministry, “plant” a new congregation “from scratch,” and help older congregations transition into launching new Communities of Faith on the current campus of the established church. These are the “real life” educational ministry opportunities Pastor Mark has been blessed to experience.
His more formal educational background includes receiving degrees and certification from the following institutions: Sulligent High School (1993), The University of West Alabama (BS; History/Political Science; 1997), Memphis Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity; 2002), The Academy For Congregational Development (New & Renewing Communities of Faith; 2004), and The Institute For Clergy Excellence (Effective Preaching, Leadership, & Communication; 2008). His personal hobbies includes anything he can do with Shelley and the boys, woodworking, historical reading & research, Biblical archeology, and traveling to new places!
The Puckett Family is excited to be in ministry with the Morningstar Community of Faith. We will seek to discover God’s purpose, call, and dream for us as we learn servant leadership together in order to build the Kingdom of God by connecting with others and deepening the faith journey of all those who follow and experience Jesus - the true Hope of the World!
God has brought Mark into several servant leadership roles throughout almost 24 years in public ministry. He has served as a Youth Pastor (FUMC of Winfield, Latham UMC of Huntsville, FUMC of Tuscumbia), an Associate Pastor (FUMC of Tuscumbia), the Senior Pastor (New Oregon UMC), the Lead & Founding/Planting Pastor (The Beacon - A New UMC), and most recently as the Lead Pastor of East Gadsden UMC. These experiences have afforded Pastor Mark the opportunity to serve established and very traditional congregations, begin new modern worship experiences within older congregations to reach younger generations, initiate and lead a small groups ministry, “plant” a new congregation “from scratch,” and help older congregations transition into launching new Communities of Faith on the current campus of the established church. These are the “real life” educational ministry opportunities Pastor Mark has been blessed to experience.
His more formal educational background includes receiving degrees and certification from the following institutions: Sulligent High School (1993), The University of West Alabama (BS; History/Political Science; 1997), Memphis Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity; 2002), The Academy For Congregational Development (New & Renewing Communities of Faith; 2004), and The Institute For Clergy Excellence (Effective Preaching, Leadership, & Communication; 2008). His personal hobbies includes anything he can do with Shelley and the boys, woodworking, historical reading & research, Biblical archeology, and traveling to new places!
The Puckett Family is excited to be in ministry with the Morningstar Community of Faith. We will seek to discover God’s purpose, call, and dream for us as we learn servant leadership together in order to build the Kingdom of God by connecting with others and deepening the faith journey of all those who follow and experience Jesus - the true Hope of the World!
Modern Worship Leader
LeAlan Carter
lealancarter@gmail.com
Traditional Music Director
Michael Myrick
choirteach@live.com
Michael was born in Birmingham, Alabama and received his first musical education playing trumpet in his high school band, singing in the school choir and performing in the high school theater group. He went on to study music at Birmingham-Southern College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and Administrative Masters. In addition, He attended the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, where he received his Master of Music degree. He has also studied sacred music at Perkins School of Theology. He holds Level III Certification in Orff Schulwerk from Samford University and is a nationally certified music teacher in the United States.
Michael taught music for 27 years as a choral, instrumental and general music teacher and has been directing church choral groups for over 35 years. He works closely with his wife Kathryn Myrick who is the Drama director for Shelby County High School. His eclectic style of arranging and composing has been embraced world wide by many choral and instrumental groups, with nearly 50 compositions to his credit.
Michael taught music for 27 years as a choral, instrumental and general music teacher and has been directing church choral groups for over 35 years. He works closely with his wife Kathryn Myrick who is the Drama director for Shelby County High School. His eclectic style of arranging and composing has been embraced world wide by many choral and instrumental groups, with nearly 50 compositions to his credit.
Mother's Day Out Director
Erica Scott
mdo@mstarumc.com
Erica has served both as a teacher, and now as the Director of Morningstar's Mother's Day Out Program. Erica graduated from Stillman College with a B.A. in Business Administration, but has spent the last several years as a daycare professional. She brings a deep and abiding love for children and parents to this beloved program of Morningstar United Methodist Church. Erica, her husband, and their two girls live in Chelsea.
Pianist
Tom Grigsby
Tom has been the pianist at Morningstar since November of 2005. He graduated in 1989 from Jacksonville State University, where he studied piano and trumpet. He has been the band director at Shelby County High School in Columbiana for 18 years. He and his wife, Brooke, have two children, Tommy, Jr. and Addison. One of his biggest hobbies is following NASCAR. He also is an avid golfer and reader. He loves to spend time riding his Harley with friends. His greatest hope is that his piano playing will bless other people, and that he doesn't get in anyone's way of worshiping.
Office Manager
April Bower
office@mstarumc.com
April was born in Birmingham, AL and has lived in Chelsea for over 10 years, she loves the family friendly community, and has served the area schools in many different volunteer positions. April has been a stay at home mom for several years and is excited to be re-entering the work force here at Morningstar United Methodist Church. She studied towards a degree in finance at Jacksonville State University and spent over 12 years in the Banking industry. April has been married for 19 years, and they have three teenage children. One of her greatest passions is Missions and serving others.
Children's Minister
Kimberly Burnett
children@mstarumc.com
Kim was born in Moody, AL and has lived in Chelsea for over 14 years. She graduated in 2001 from Faulkner University where she majored in business with a minor in Biblical Studies. Kim also completed her Children’s Ministry Certification at Perkins School of Theology at SMU. She served on staff for 8 years at Asbury United Methodist Church as the Director of Children’s Ministry and has been dedicated to the church and its services for over 18 years. Kim and her husband Robert have been married for 19 years, and have two children. Her true passion is ministering to children and youth and equipping them to follow the divine path of their Savior.