Sikeston, Missouri - On September 1, 2015, Mr. Brad Aycock will join the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church full-time as Director of New Church Development.
"I will deeply miss my family and friends here in Missouri. Only God could pull me away. I'm very honored and excited to be joining one of the leading states for strategic and innovative church growth in the country. West Ohio is the "point of the arrow" in this renewed movement that is beginning," stated Aycock.
"I have a passion to help change peoples' perception of Jesus by changing peoples' perception of the church - the hope of the world. I would like to thank God for this opportunity to be on a broader platform to help influence today's Church. I would also like to thank the many people who have helped to make me who I am," continued Aycock. "I wouldn't have this opportunity if it weren't for the many who have invested in the vision and selflessly made me look way better than I am."
Brad currently serves as Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church (UMC) in Sikeston, Missouri, where he has played a key role in revitalizing that declining church into an active part of the community with a missionary focus on reaching people for Christ. As Director of New Church Development for the Conference, he will work with the bishop and cabinet to strategically identify new mission fields in West Ohio and partner with existing churches in developing satellite worshiping communities. Brad will also guide new United Methodist worshiping communities to move toward becoming chartered, outwardly-focused, financially sound and fruitful centers of worship.
"Brad comes to us after a extensive national search and a multi-layered interview process that included new church start pastors, conference leaders, the bishop and cabinet," stated Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. "He is a gifted, skilled cutting-edge leader in creating new places for new people. I am overjoyed that at last the people of the West Ohio Conference will have someone working full-time on new congregational development. We have been fortunate that Rev. Marcus Atha has been willing to do some of this work as a labor of love while serving full-time as a district superintendent.”
Brad received his Bachelor's degree at Southeast Missouri State University and his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership at Asbury Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to First UMC Sikeston in 2010, he served in key leadership roles as laity and staff at two Missouri Churches. He also has managed a successful consulting business since 1994. For the last three years, Brad has served as an annual guest trainer and prescription coach for West Ohio's Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI), led by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Brad and his wife, Ann, along with their two children will be relocating to central Ohio.
