Our Leadership

Lead Pastor
Jimmy Cooper

Jimmy grew up in the St. Louis area, which means you can ask him the question, “Where did you go to high school?” (St. Charles West) After graduating from Truman State University with a degree in history, he completed his seminary work at Garrett-Evangelical in Chicago.
Jimmy has served churches in St. Charles County, St. Louis, Kirksville, Bolingbrook (Illinois), Dardenne Prairie, and now Wentzville.  He was ordained as a United Methodist pastor in 2011.  Jimmy is most passionate about making disciples who will tenaciously pursue God’s plans for their daily lives.
Jimmy and his wife Erin live in Wentzville.  They have two children: Noah and Lucy.  He loves to play sports, root for the local teams (Go Blues, Cards, and Tigers!), read, and spend time with his family.

Worship Director
Kevn Dekker

Kevn served in the U.S.A.F. in Arkansas, eventually moving to St. Louis in 1982. He performed in shows at the Muny and Fox Theater in 1987, while also acting in several local TV commercials in 1988. He married his wife, Kathy, in 1988.
After moving to Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Myrtle Beach, they landed in the Chicago area where Kevn served in a variety of roles, from Worship Pastor to Associate Pastor over a 26 year period. Kevn and Kathy returned to St. Louis in 2021 and are excited to be home.
Kevn holds a Master of Religious Education from West Coast seminary and is husband of one, father of three, father-in-law of another three and "Pops" to five grandchildren. He is passionate about training the next generation for ministry.

Family Pastor
Kim Van Hoye

Kim married her high school sweetheart, Scott, on July 22nd, 1995. Scott and Kim are the proud parents of 4 brilliant kiddos: Kelsie, Tyler, Abbie and Gracie. Kim served with Morning Star Church from day one and served as the children’s director for 5 years. Prior to that, Kim worked in the Wentzville school district as a kindergarten and second grade teacher. She also served as a parent educator for Parents as Teachers.
Kim graduated from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in June of 2011 with her Master of Arts degree in Family Ministry. Recently, Kim piloted a program working with families to promote discipleship in the home with curriculum she has written. Kim enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching baseball, shopping and going on walks. Her heart and passion is for all families to be healthy and living as Christ lived in community with others.

Media And Tech Coordinator
Cassi Moore

Cassi grew up and went to school in the Wentzville area, She joined The Way in 2014 and began as a youth volunteer in Children's church.  Cassi graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Education.  After graduating, Cassi returned to the Wentzville area and the Way, where she volunteered with the tech team, eventually transitioning into the role of Media and Tech Director. In addition to serving as the Way's Media and Tech director, Cassi teaches 5th grade.