Senior Pastor

REVEREND DR. JIM HOFFMAN

Rev. Dr. James Hoffman, is the senior pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church. Jim comes to St. John’s after serving for five years at North Star United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberty, MO. His previous appointments span 5 years as Associate Pastor at Lee’s Summit UMC, almost 2 years as Pastor at Community UMC in Chilhowee, MO and part-time local pastor for a little over 2 years at Aldersgate UMC in Lee’s Summit.  He brings leadership experience that crosses several disciplines and has created a team environment that encourages giving the best we have to God.


Jim was awarded a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management and Computer Information Systems from Park University and holds  a Master’s of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology.   He completed doctoral studies and graduated as Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence from Wesley Theological Seminary in May, 2018.  He is an Ordained Elder in the Missouri Annual Conference and serves on district and conference level teams shaping leadership for the future.


Margaret Hoffman is an extremely talented entrepreneur and sales professional. She currently works as a manufacturer’s sales representative in the high-end educational toy industry. She represents and sells over 100 product lines to local toy stores, gift shops, and distributors. If you have a question about a toy, she can probably answer it for you!


Jim and Margaret have a blended family with four children and two grandchildren. Margaret’s two adult daughters are Kendra who is married to Davis and Krystal who is married to Bridget.  They and their families live in the Kansas City area.  Jim’s children are Jordan who is married to Carina and lives in Miami, FL, and Brooke who is married to Matt and lives in Warren, OH.   They have two grandsons, Skylar and DJ who live nearby!


As Jim describes his mission: My task is to create environments for people to encounter Jesus Christ. It could present itself as a moment to meet Him for the first time, a moment to hear His message in a fresh, informative and life-changing way, or it could be a moment that launches someone into service and mission. I am also convinced that this is coupled with opportunities. The challenge is to find avenues for people to move from the encounter with Jesus to making Him known in their world. The team I lead is charged with helping to bridge the gap of personal encounter and opportunities for service. The mission is being fulfilled when people move from being served to serving with us.


Jim is a native of Missouri and grew up in the south Kansas City area.  He spent 10 years in the US Air Force traveling the world and our own beautiful country.  After leaving the Air Force Jim returned to Kansas City to live and work in the business world.  It was here in Jim’s home city that he answered the call to full-tie ministry.


Questions?

Jim Hoffman

816.523.6788

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  • Office Manager

    JESSICA CARTER-GATTORNA

    Jessica’s role with St. John’s is to manage the church office and to provide support to the church staff with her with many years of administrative experience.   She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Kansas City and taking road trips.


    Questions?

    Jessica Carter-Gattorna

    816.523.6788

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  • Children, Youth

    & Family Ministries

    ALLIE COBB

    Allie has been involved in ministry for over a decade and comes from a long line of United Methodists. She has extensive experience in leading children and youth programs. In 2011 Allie and her husband Travis moved from the Wichita area where they were born, to Kansas City. They love the city and can't imagine living anywhere else. While in Kansas City they grew their family to include 2 golden retrievers and two children, who keep them very busy. 


    Questions?

    Allie Cobb

    816.523.6788

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  • Music Ministries

    DALE MOREHOUSE

    Dale Morehouse began serving as our Organist and Director of Music Ministry in September 2010. He has  previously served Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Lutheran congregations in Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, New York, and Florida since 1972.

     

    Morehouse is also Associate Professor of Voice and Opera at the Conservatory of Music and Dance at UMKC, having previously taught at Southern Methodist University, University of Mississippi, Texas Wesleyan University, Binghamton University, Rollins College, Valencia College, and Lake-Sumter State College.  Simultaneously, he has held summer appointments with the Varna International Opera Academy in Bulgaria; Verona’s Opera Viva and the Orvieto Musica chamber music festival in Italy; the Classical Musical Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria; the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria; the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in Alaska; and the Bear Valley Music Festival in California.


    Dale is a life-long traveler but

    If he’s in KC and not at work, he’s probably in a restaurant or a theater or at home playing fetch with Rocky.


    Questions?

    Dale Morehouse

    816.510.0180

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  • Wedding Coordinator

    PAULA RECTOR

    Paula Rector has been the wedding coordinator here at St. John’s for 20+ years.  She is the first point of contact regarding scheduling a wedding at St. John’s.  She is also the go to person for your questions since she has the most experience among us!  Please contact her if you are interested in having your wedding in our prestigious sanctuary.


    Questions?

    Paula Rector

    913.226.4643

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  • Parent's Day Out

    & Preschool Director

    JILL GARDNER

    Questions? 

    Jill Gardner

    816.523.6788 Ext. 101

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