Announcing Two New Site Pastors // M-Note 5.16.2026

The Gathering is a United Methodist Church and that matters. We are part of a global network of churches doing meaningful work around the world. Part of that connection means that The Gathering gets to send out pastors that have been shaped here to serve in other places. Rev. Adam Baker and Rev. Ryan Hebel are being sent out to serve as lead pastors in other churches this June. And grieving the loss of pastors that we love is hard.
 
But, being United Methodist means that we also get new pastors who will shape, and be shaped by, our church. I am excited to announce that on July 1, The Gathering will welcome two new pastors to our team!
 
Rev. Steve Lefebvre will be our new Webster Site Pastor. Steve is currently serving as the senior pastor of First UMC in Dyersburg, TN. Steve is married to Heather, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. They are moving here with their three sons Thomlin (11), Lou (9), and Dixon (4).

Rev. Roxy DeLong will be our new West County Site Pastor. She is a pastor in Bloomington-Normal, IL, where, for the past 9 years, she has led MERGE, the campus ministry at Illinois State University. Roxy is married to Luke and they are moving here with their two children, Frankie (4) and Dominic (1).

It is hard searching for new pastors that are highly gifted, passionate about our ministry, and that we believe will fit the unique nature of our community. I am thrilled that Steve and Roxy will be joining us and confident that they will each bring incredible gifts to our church. I can’t wait for you to meet and welcome them.
 
I will share more about, and from, them in the near future and both of them will start in July. Until then, please join me in praying for each of them and their families as they prepare to join our church.
 
Peace,
 
Matt
 
P.S. If you missed it, last week I launched a new series AND interviewed my own mom for Mother’s Day. You can check it out here. This week I will continue our series A Christian Parent’s Field Guide by talking about how we parent and influence older kids and teenagers, especially when they begin to question and resist the faith that we have tried to share with them. I know that many of you are in this stage of life or know someone who is. Please invite them as this will be a relevant and practical message for so many.