Morningstar Staff

Mark Puckett - Lead Pastor

Email - [email protected]

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​Personal
  • Native of Sulligent, AL
  • Husband to Shelley Puckett
  • Father to Marshall and Isaac
Ministry Experience
  • Youth Pastor for 13 years
  • Planted a new Church
  • Served rural, small town, suburban, and inner city congregations
  • International Missions and Church Planting
  • Instructor for International Clergy and Missions Training 
  • Appointed to Morningstar Church in June of 2012
  • Serves as Chaplain for the Shelby County Law Enforcement Association since 2013   
Education
  • Sulligent High School
  • The University of West Alabama (BS in History/Political Science)
  • Memphis Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) 
  • The Academy for Congregational Development
  • The Institute for Clergy Excellence 
Hobbies & Interests
  • Anything I can do with Shelley and the boys 
  • Woodworking & restoration of old furniture
  • Biblical Archaeology & Historical research and study
  • Traveling to new places
  • Gardening & Yard Work

April Bower – Church Office Manager and Assistant to Pastor

Email - ​[email protected]

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Personal
  • Native of Birmingham, AL
  • Wife to Tim Bower
  • Mother to Lauryn, Luke and Lydia 
Ministry Experience
  • Served in Church Nursery Ministry for 20 years
  • Served in Women’s Ministry for 12 year
  • Served on two International Mission Teams to Guatemala and Africa  
  • Served as Missions Coordinator for Women’s Group
  • Started work at Morningstar Church in November of 2015
Education
  • Huffman High School
  • Attended Jacksonville State  University  
Hobbies & Interests
  •  Family Time  
  •  Travel
  •  Decorating
  •  Being Creative

Kimberly Burnett – Children’s Minister

Email - [email protected]

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Personal
  • Native to Moody, Al
  • Wife to Robert Burnett
  • Mother to Pierce and Catherine
Ministry Experience
  • Director of Children’s Ministry for 25 years
  • First Priority Team Leader
  • North Alabama Conference Children’s Leadership Team
Education
  • Moody High School
  • Faulkner University (BS in Business and Biblical Studies)
  • Perkins School of Theology at SMU (Children’s Ministry Certification)
Hobbies & Interests
  • Spending time with Robert, Pierce and Katie
  • Working in the yard
  • Reading 

Joel Henson- Student Minister

​Email- [email protected]

Personal
  • Native of Cordova, AL
  • Husband to Malia
  • Father to Reggie & Brent
Ministry Experience
  • Chancel Choir Director for 7 years
  • Handbell Choir Director for 10 years
  • Praise Band for 15 years
  • Sunday School Teacher
Education
  • University of Alabama
  • Bevill State Community College
  • Cordova High School
Hobbies and Interests
  • Chicago Sports
  • Tennis
  • Jeeps​

Michael Myrick - Chancel Choir Director & Classic Worship

Email - [email protected]

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Personal
  • Native of Hayden, AL
  • Husband to Kathryn Myrick
Ministry Experience
  • Choral, Instrumental, and General Music Teacher for 28 years 
  • Chancel Choir Director and Directing Choral Groups for 38 years
Education
  • Hayden High School
  • Birmingham Southern College
  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham 
  • The University of Montevallo
  • Perkins School of Theology
  • Certification in Orff Schulwerk from Samford University
Hobbies & Interests
  • Restoring vintage antique cars 
  • Creating new choral arrangement and cantatas  

Malia Henson - Modern Worship Leader

Email - [email protected]

Personal
  • Native of Double Springs, AL
  • Wife to Joel
  • Mother to Reggie and Brent
Ministry Experience
  • Worship Leader & Praise Band Director 
  • Chancel Choir Director 
  • Piano & Voice Teacher
  • Worship Leader: Womens Conferences, Kairos & Celebrate Recovery
  • Children's Ministries Director
  • Church Communications & Programming Director
  • Children's Choir & Handbell Director
  • Mentor with Caring Men & Caring Women
Education
  • Pine Grove Christian Academy
  • Bevill State Community College
  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham 
Hobbies & Interests
  • Nieces & Nephews
  • Roller Coasters
  • Food

Mary Klucarich - Chancel Choir Pianist & Classic Worship

Personal
  • Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Wife of Alan Klucarich
  • Mother of Adria and Natalie
Ministry Experience
  • Worship Leader for various Churches
  • Pianist, organist, vocalist, guitarist for Churches, weddings, funerals, Christian theater, and school programs
  • Worship Coordinator and Choir Director, Meadowbrook Church
  • Piano and guitar teacher
  • Accompanist (instrumental and vocal)
  • Composer and arranger - vocal and instrumental including Christian films
Education
  • Athens High School
  • University of Montevallo (Freshman)
  • University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (sophomore)
  • University of Wisconsin - Madison (BS Computer Science)
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College - Milwaukee (started working on Church music degree)
  • Concordia University - Mequon, Wisconsin (started working on masters in Church music)
Hobbies & Interests
  • Reading
  • Gardening
  • Word & jigsaw puzzles
  • Cooking/baking
  • Travel
  • Learning new things

Lora Collins - Shining Stars Pre-School Ministry Director

Email - [email protected]

Personal
  • Native of Manhattan, Kansas
  •  Married to Shane
  • Three daughters: Katherine, Michaela, and Christine

Ministry Experience
  • Served as a Children’s and Family Ministries Director for 5 years 
  • Served as an Assistant to the Pastor for 2 years
  • Served as a MDO PreK 3 Teacher for 4 years

Education
  • Manhattan High School
  • Kansas State University

Hobbies & Interests
  • Spending time with my family and friends
  • Spending time with the family pets: Nala our golden retriever, our two cats Loki and Gandalf, and our guinea pigs Peggy Carter and Squeakers.
  • Woodworking with my husband
  • Crafting/creating wood signs

Tom & Judy Wimbish - Online Worship Directors