Our Team

Pastor Jim has been in ministry with the United Methodist Church for over 25 years. He began his ministry as a Youth Director at Ashland UMC in St. Joseph, Missouri while he was still in school at Missouri Western State University. 
 
Pastor Jim received his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky in 2009. He has served as a Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, Church Plant Pastor and Youth Director in small, medium and large sized churches, and has recently received his Certification in Nonprofit and Church Leadership from Dakota Wesleyan University. He is also an advanced certified coach and teacher of both the Enneagram and the Grip-Birkman leadership assessment tools. He has led workshops for many churches and organizations to help both pastors and laity lead out of a stronger sense of who God has designed and equipped them to be. Prior to pastoring at First UMC he spent six years of pastoral ministry with Hallsville UMC  and  three and a half years at Schweitzer UMC in Springfield.

 Pastor Marsha Vincent is a second career pastor having come from the business world, as a registered bridal consultant as well as a floral shop owner. Marsha has served on the Board of Directors of Crosslines and COPE, a domestic violence shelter, and is currently on the Mercy Lebanon Hospital Board. She is the secretary of the Laclede County Ministerial Alliance. 

Her church ministry began as a volunteer in the YOUTH area in 1990 at Lebanon First, where she felt the call to ministry and began the course work to become a Licensed Local Pastor.  She graduated from Saint Paul School of Theology Course of Study in 2010.  She has served Lebanon First and Sleeper United Methodist Church; currently being located at Lebanon First serving in the following areas of Family Ministry, Care Team, Stephens Ministry, Prayer Team.  Marsha is an instructor for the Ozarks District Lay Servant Ministry. According to her, “I love hearing people’s stories and encouraging them to find their place in the ministry of Jesus Christ.”  

Amanda is a remarkable person, deeply rooted in her community and committed to nurturing the next generation. Growing up in Ozark, Missouri, and being a part of Grace UMC in Springfield instilled strong values of community, faith, and compassion in her. Moving to Lebanon with her husband, Mike, and raising three children together, Jonathan, Brandon, and Michaela, speaks to her dedication to family and building a life centered around God, love and support.  Amanda is formerly a small business owner of 16 years.  She has currently been a teacher at ABC Academy for the past 4 years.

By seeing the world through the eyes of her students, Amanda not only teaches but embraces their journey with compassion and triumphing over obstacles along the way. Her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of young people is truly inspiring.