Pastor Steve Blacksher came to Byers Avenue United Methodist Church on January 1, 2006. Steve and his wife Natalie live in Carthage. They have two sons, Andy, age 20, a sophomore at Missouri State University, and Ethan, 17 and a junior at Carthage High School.

After spending 17 years in the food manufacturing industry in various production, quality assurance, and management positions, Steve accepted God's call into the ministry and is currently in the process of becoming an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. As a part of that process he is currently attending seminary at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Steve attends classes two days a week in Tulsa, as well as serving in the role of pastor at the church.

Speaking of the Byers Avenue UMC congregation Steve states, "I really think there's a passion in this church to help other people come to know the hope, freedom, and power found in Jesus Christ. That's my passion, too! I want to help the church get its hands around that vision and passion for outreach and ministry so that we can truly 'Know Christ and Make Christ Known,' just as our mission statement affirms. I look forward to seeing that happen in all aspects our church's ministry whether it is through the Sunday morning worship experience, mission and outreach projects, children's and youth ministry, fellowship opportunities, discipleship ministries, and more."

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