New Horizons UMC
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Come Grow With Us!
New Horizons United Methodist Church is sponsored by the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.  A District Shepherding Committee, comprised of approximately 10-12 individuals and chaired by Carol A. Smith, laid the groundwork for the birth of New Horizons.  Under the direction of Bishop Ann Sherer and District Superintendent Paul Schlapbach, these individuals determined that an additional Methodist congregation was needed in the eastern part of Columbia.  These committee members worked diligently for a year - researching, problem-solving, and participating in a telemarketing campaign - prior to the appointment of the first pastor, Ray Province.
 
On September 14, 1994, a launch event was held at the home of the pastor at which 33 interested individuals attended.  This was an informal gathering for the core group to get to know one another as well as to discuss upcoming programming.
 
The first worship service of this new church was held October 23, 1994 at the Program Center located at 1306 Old Highway 63 South, Suite G.  Ten adults and seven children attended.
 
The congregation then relocated the worship service to Litton hall at the University of Missouri (to take advantage of larger facilities for the growing congregation).  The first service at Litton hall was held on February 12, 1995.  A total of 91 people attended this service, 25 of which were children.  The congregation did continue to rent the Program Center for weekly programming and storage.
 
New Horizons' next worship site was at the Boone County Historical Society.  The first worship service was held July 9, 1995 in the auditorium there.  Thirty-six people were in attendance.
 
Through the support of the Missouri East Conference and the Columbia-Mexico District, the congregation was able to buy the current church home of New Horizons, located at the corner of El Chaparral and Route WW.  The first worship service at this location was held June 23, 1996.  The church was officially organized on July 28, 1996 by Bishop Ann Sherer and District Superintendent David Bennett.  Sixty-eight individuals were present for the ceremony.
 
The congregation was then led for three months by interim pastor, Otto Steinhaus, beginning March 23, 1997.  Our second pastor, Carol Millspaugh, led her first service at New Horizons on June 22, 1997.  Pastor Millspaugh came to New Horizons after serving as pastor for twelve years at Midway Locust Grove United Methodist Church in Columbia, Missouri.  During the leadership of Pastor Millspaugh, the congregation grew both spiritually and in number (to approximately 125 members).  The church was officially consecrated on January 27, 2002, with Bishop Ann Sherer, Conference officials, members, and friends in attendance.

Our third pastor, Eric Moore, led his first service at New Horizons on June 27, 2004.  Pastor Moore, a 2000 graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology, came to New Horizons after serving four years as an associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in St. Charles, Missouri.  Prior to his position in St. Charles, Pastor Moore served as a student local pastor at the Huntsville, Missouri United Methodist Church as well as the Clifton Hill, Missouri United Methodist Church from 1996 to 2000.  Before Pastor Moore’s arrival, a parsonage was purchased at 1399 S. Victoria Avenue in the El Chaparral neighborhood.  While Pastor Moore was at New Horizons, congregation members began a puppet ministry.
 
Our fourth pastor, Tom Adams, led his first service at New Horizons July 2, 2006.  Pastor Adams is a 1958 graduate of the Perkins School of Theology at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas.  Pastor Adams, along with his devoted wife and partner, Luella, served many churches throughout Missouri.  He also served as the District Superintendent for the Hannibal-Kirksville District from 1985 – 1990.  After retiring from a full life of ministry in 1997, Pastor Adams was called to the Hallsville United Methodist Church where he served for nearly ten years.  Following his successful tenure at Hallsville, Pastor Adams now looks forward to leading New Horizons in growth and ministry.  
 
During Pastor Tom’s tenure, we began the Elijah Prayer Project, Disciple Bible Study, and Adult and Youth Handbell Choirs. In addition, the sanctuary obtained a projection system and an updated sound system. Pastor Tom was sincerely supportive of the boys and leadership of Boy Scout Troop 7 which is sponsored by the United Methodist Men’s Group. Pastor Tom’s special nurturing ability was lovingly shared with the congregation. He spent many hours visiting and ministering to the sick and needy. Pastor Tom was truly a giving pastor who led by doing. 
 
Our fifth pastor, Trista Soendker Nicholson, led her first service at New Horizons on July 4, 2010. Trista is currently attending Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. Prior to attending Saint Paul, Trista received a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Trinity University in Washington D.C. While in Washington, Trista and her husband, Sean, were very active in the Capitol Hill UMC, participating in community service and outreach programs as well as the church council. Trista served as Lay Leader for the Capitol Hill congregation. While serving as Lay Leader, Trista accepted her call to ministry and started attending the Wesley Theological Seminary in the spring of 2008. After moving back to Missouri in late 2008, she transferred to the Saint Paul School of Theology. Trista and Sean were blessed with the birth of their son, Judah, in August 2009.
 
The congregation is involved in many ministries, including:  Sunday educational classes for all ages; a youth fellowship group; neighborhood outreach events; exciting Vacation Bible School Program each Summer; missions and service projects at home and abroad, including serving at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, giving support to a church conference in Africa, sponsoring a refugee family from Bosnia, and other projects; fellowship and family ministries events for all ages; United Methodist Women’s and Men’s groups; an adult choir; etc.  The congregation has also participated in several mission trips for youth and adults and conducted an after-school tutoring program for Cedar Ridge Elementary School children.
 
The congregation seeks to reach out especially to those who are not presently part of a church and to be proactive for the needs of children.  Our invitation, "Come Grow With Us", is our sincere wish to welcome others into our church family, as we grow in our discipleship to Jesus Christ and develop new ministries as a congregation.