Looking to our future

What’s the latest?

Updated 8/1/25

Hello Oh Be Joyful Family -

I am very happy to be able to share with you all that the Covenant Partners of Oh Be Joyful Church have voted to invite Grant Hickman to serve as our next Lead Pastor and HE HAS ACCEPTED! 

Please be praying for the health and unity of Oh Be Joyful Church and for peace for the Hickman’s as they begin making arrangements for the transition sometime in the fall. 

Claire and I are so grateful for the party at the Center for the Arts last Sunday! Seeing everyone meant so much to us and to our family and we will all treasure the memory of it. We were honored to be appreciated and are humbled to be a part of such a community of friends. I’ll be preaching a couple more times, the last being August 31.  

More to come on the transition process soon.

On Behalf of the Elders and Search Team -

Updated 7/11/25

Hello Oh Be Joyful Family,

Exciting news! We have a Senior Pastor candidate visiting Crested Butte next week. His name is Grant Hickman and he’ll be joined by his wife, Jenna, and their children. They plan to arrive midweek and Grant will be preaching at both services on Sunday, 7/20.

Next Tuesday, we’ll send out an email with more detailed information about Grant so you can get to know him and understand why our search team and elders believe he is a good fit for the senior leadership role at Oh Be Joyful.

Our elders have been praying and preparing for this moment since Claire and I first shared—almost two and a half years ago—our decision to pass the baton. Since then, we’ve had the benefit of wise counsel from other church leaders, guidance from our consultant Greg Ligon, the dedication of our staff and congregation in shaping the pastoral profile, the support of our search firm Slingshot, and the tireless work of our volunteer Search Team. All of that has led us to this exciting step.

Here’s how you can be involved:

  • Pray that Oh Be Joyful will walk closely with Jesus—now and for generations to come.

  • Pray for the Hickman family as they continue walking through this time of discernment.

  • Attend the events and services listed below to meet Grant and his family.

  • Continue to give faithfully to sustain and strengthen the ministry in Crested Butte.

Thank you for engaging in this important next chapter in the life of OBJC.

For Him - 

Updated 5/10/25

The process of searching for a new lead pastor began about a year ago. Much work has been done since then to bring us to the moment we currently find ourselves in.

The body of OBJC has contributed significantly in the preparation to find a good leader. On Tuesday, 4/15 our search team received files on six applicants (we've received 60 applications so far) that our search firm believes to be potential candidates. The team is diligently assessing, researching, and praying over each one in a process that should take a few weeks.

There is no assurance that a new leader will come from this group, but this is a significant step in the process. 

Updated 2/10/25

For the past 12 years I have had the incredible honor of serving Jesus alongside all of you. In long conversations with Claire, and after much prayer, we have become confident that the time is right for a change, both for our family and for Oh Be Joyful. I have decided to leave my role as lead pastor of Oh Be Joyful on August 31 of this year. Please know that I have not come to this decision lightly. It has been a privilege and one of the greatest joys of my life to pastor you. 

I firmly believe a church is best situated for a leadership transition when it is healthy. By pretty much any measure, our church is in an incredibly healthy place. Our elders, staff, and volunteer leaders are united, dedicated, and gifted. Our finances are as strong as ever and our attendance continues to grow year over year. Not only that, we have more people involved in various areas of ministry here at the church than we have ever had in our history. What Oh Be Joyful needs now is someone who is motivated and vibrant to faithfully pick up where I’ll be leaving off and guide this church into its next chapter. 

Oh Be Joyful has never been about one person. It was never about Jim Kunes before me, has never been about me, and should not be about whoever will come in my place. This church exists for God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It has been sustained through ups and downs not by the charisma of its leadership, but through the kindness and faithfulness of the Lord. And I have every reason to believe that will continue into the future.  

What’s next for us? Well, in the short term Claire and I plan to move to Arkansas to be closer to our kids and parents. We plan to keep our house here and I will serve in a coaching and support role for our new leader after I leave. Just as OBJC had a place in our lives before I took on the role of pastor here, it will continue to have a place in our lives after I leave. 

As we all look to the future and wonder what God might have in store for Oh Be Joyful, I want to leave you with the words of Paul from Philippians 1:3-5. 

Every time I think of you I thank God for you. 
I have joy in my heart everytime time I ask God to help you. 
I thank God for the joy we share in telling the good news from the very first day until now.

We have the privilege of sharing the good news with the world. It is a joy, and a great honor, to see lives transformed by the gospel. Oh Be Joyful, let that be our true north, let that be our guiding light. 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 

Grace and Peace,

OBJC is looking for a new Senior Pastor

Crested Butte is a uniquely beautiful place with a similarly unique community full of independent and adventurous people. As a Christ-centered, Bible-believing church in the heart of all that, OBJC seeks to be a beacon of Christ’s love and hope and see gospel transformation in the lives of those in our town and beyond.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our search process or think you (or someone you know) might be a good candidate for the role of Senior Pastor, take a look at the information on this page and click the links below.

Apply for the Lead Pastor role
Check out our Candidate Profile

Please be praying for:

  • Unity in our church family that will be a testimony to generations to come of our dependence on the Lord for wisdom. 

  • Preparation in the hearts of the future leader, his family, friends, and current church family.

  • Sustained hope, excitement, and diligence in a process that could take a long time.

  • Perseverance for the search team and their families as they continue this very time-consuming process.

From the elders

Hello Oh Be Joyful Church Friends and Family -

On behalf of your Board of Elders, I would like to take this opportunity to address Scott and Claire’s decision to enter into the next chapter of what God has in store for them and how that decision affects OBJC.

Twelve years ago this summer, Scott was called to lead our church. Along with their growing connection to Crested Butte, their gifts of humility and hearts for others, and passion for ministry, God had great plans for Scott and Claire here. Scott has always sought God’s vision and guidance. And God provided him with a vision that enabled him to navigate the church through a full building remodel and Covid restrictions, while in the same timeframe growing the church staff from one to twelve, steadily increasing growth in men’s and women’s Bible studies, children’s, youth, and young adult ministries, multiple small groups, and Sunday service attendance. Realizing he has performed possibly every role at the church from gardener to shepherd, and taking into account Scott’s devotion to both the vision and the work, as he told us of their decision back in April, we knew it had been well thought out and fervently prayed over. Through further prayer and discussion with the Elders, Scott’s final date of August 31, 2025 was selected.

This span of time has allowed the Elders to both structure a transition plan and allow God space to work in the process. We have spent time specifically in prayer, time with Scott and with Scott’s predecessor, Jim Kunes, and time combining our own individual outside experiences and knowledge. This led us to the decision to seek a succession firm to guide the transition.

The firm is currently working alongside the Elders, Scott and Claire, the OBJC Staff, and a Succession Team, in a process to clarify the type of Pastor we need to lead us into the next season. It has been exciting to witness God’s hand in this process already.

Moving forward, we have asked Scott to serve in an ambassador role for at least one more year while “passing the baton”, and he has graciously accepted. In this role, Scott will be available to the next Lead Pastor as a resource and will assist in making connections in the OBJC community. 

In the next few weeks, we will be forming Focus Groups to gather further input. We will utilize this information to build a profile to be used by a search firm, to guide God’s candidates in our direction. A search committee, formed of church members, will receive candidate applications and determine which are the best fit for OBJC and our community. The final candidate will be presented to the church membership for their consideration and voting.

So, how can we all help? Look forward to opportunities to engage and be a positive advocate, to continue to serve joyfully and humbly, and to join together with encouragement and in unity, and with great trust and expectation for the good work which God has prepared in advance for OBJC. Let’s celebrate Scott and Claire well. Let’s welcome the new Lead Pastor warmly. Most importantly, let’s all join together in committed prayer that we will honor and glorify God throughout this transition and far into the future of Oh Be Joyful Church. 

For His Glory,
John Bever

A bit more information…

Click on the videos below to hear from Scott and Claire, as well as John Bever, to hear more about Scott’s decision to step down as Lead Pastor as well as next steps as we look to the coming nine months.

Send a comment to the elders
Transition Consultant - The Ligon Group

FAQs

About the Oh Be Joyful Lead Pastor Transition

What more can you tell me?

  • The Winns have cherished their chapter in the history of Oh Be Joyful Church. In 2022, they recognized that Scott’s time as Lead Pastor was nearing its conclusion, and that a new pastor would soon be needed to guide the church into its next season.

  • In the spring of 2024, Scott confirmed with the Elders his intention to step down on August 31, 2025. Since then, the Elders have been earnestly praying and planning regarding next steps. This Spring, a Search Committee will begin the process of finding our next leader in conjunction with a search firm.

  • For several months, the Elders have been working with a consultant experienced in facilitating successful Lead Pastor transitions. The staff and a Succession Team have been gathering to pray, plan for a smooth process, and develop a profile for the new leader.

  • The ideal time for a church leadership transition is when the church is healthy—as Oh Be Joyful is now. We have strong Elders and Trustees, a dedicated staff, a unified congregation, and robust programs. If there was ever a time we were ready to handle a transition, this is it.

How will we find our next senior pastor?

  • Ideally, we hope to have the new Lead Pastor in place by late summer of this year, allowing for some overlap with Scott. However, we trust God’s timing and understand there may be an interim period before the next pastor is appointed. As we move through the process we will continue to refine contingency plans in the case that our new lead pastor is not in place prior to Scott’s departure. Scott continues to develop a broader teaching team that could handle some of the teaching load. In addition, the staff will continue to execute the fiscal year ministry plans that will be in place in April.

  • When Scott was selected, a key factor was his firm commitment to the character and values of Oh Be Joyful Church, along with demonstrated church leadership fundamentals. At the same time, Scott brought new gifts and skills that were uniquely suited to lead OBJC during this season of growth and impact.  Similarly, the Elders are prayerfully crafting a profile for the next Lead Pastor, reflecting both the church’s established values and its anticipated needs. We are committed to staying open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, trusting that God raises up the right servant-leaders for each era to fulfill His purposes.

  • The Constitution and Bylaws of Oh Be Joyful Church requires the Elders to appoint a Search Committee tasked with identifying and recommending a candidate to the Elders. A candidate will be invited to assume the role upon unanimous recommendation by the Elders and a vote of the Covenant Partners of the church.

  • The Elders assembled the Search Committee based on the following criteria:

    • A deep love for Jesus and a strong commitment to the Christian mission

    • Knowledge of OBJC’s history, theology, mission, and congregation

    • Diversity in age, gender, and other characteristics

    • Covenant Partnership and demonstrated leadership within OBJC

  • Yes, individuals interested in the role of Lead Pastor are welcome to apply. While we currently do not have an internal candidate in mind, all applications will go through an initial evaluation by the search firm before being reviewed by the Search Committee.

  • Once a candidate has been identified, he will be invited to preach during worship services. Additionally, the congregation will receive an information packet and have opportunities to attend Q&A gatherings with the candidate.

What’s next for Scott and Claire?

  • Scott will continue to preach, lead our staff and Elders, and provide the leadership and pastoral care he has always offered. During this time, he will focus on strategically transitioning responsibilities and mentoring staff to ensure a smooth handoff. Once a successor is identified, Scott will assist in onboarding the new Lead Pastor, transferring vital information, and fostering continuity throughout the process.

  • You are welcome to write to them at scottewinn@gmail.com and clairetwinn@gmail.com. Additionally, there will be several opportunities to say goodbye before their departure. A team is planning a series of celebrations to honor Scott and Claire’s contributions to our church.

  • Scott and Claire plan to move to Arkansas to be closer to their children and parents. They will take a break from full-time ministry to rest and reflect, with the goal of pursuing a new venture. However, they intend to keep their home in Crested Butte and look forward to staying connected to the church.

  • Following August 31, 2025, Scott and Claire will take a period of absence from the church to give the new Lead Pastor the opportunity to establish strong relationships with the congregation and staff. After this time, they plan to join in worship whenever they are in Crested Butte. They will be fully committed to supporting and championing the new Lead Pastor during this transition.

  • Scott’s pastoral role within the congregation will change after August 31. While the new Lead Pastor may call upon Scott at special moments, we are encourage you to rely on our current staff for pastoral support, including counseling, references, and assistance with weddings, funerals, and other needs.

  • The Elders have invited Scott to serve as an ambassador during the first year of the transition, and he has agreed to do so. In this role, he will provide information, support, and introductions to help the new Lead Pastor integrate with the church and community. Any involvement beyond this period will be determined by the new Lead Pastor in collaboration with Scott and the Elders.

What can I do to help?

    • PRAY faithfully. Pray for Scott and Claire during this emotional time. Lift up the Search Committee and Elders as they seek God’s guidance in securing the next Lead Pastor for Oh Be Joyful Church. Pray for unity and a steadfast commitment to our mission within the congregation. A designated Prayer Team will be available during this season, and specific prayer requests will also be shared on the Lead Pastor Transition page.

    • GIVE generously. Continue to support Oh Be Joyful Church with your time, talents, and financial gifts. Your stewardship is essential to sustaining our ongoing ministry and providing a stable foundation for a successful transition.

    • LEAN forward hopefully. While no succession is without its challenges, we can move forward with hope. Regardless of how wise, talented, and faithful the next pastor may be, transitions require collective effort and grace. Be a positive advocate and encourager throughout this journey.

What about continuity?

  • While we have adjusted our ministry programs to match the evolving needs of our church and community over the past 48 years, there are some things about Oh Be Joyful Church that are essential to who we are. The Elders and staff have developed a set of core characteristics of our church which include:

    • Our Core Beliefs, Mission, Vision, and DNA

    • Authentic Community Engagement

    • Biblically Faithful Preaching and Teaching

    • A Welcoming and Authentic Environment

    • Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Discipleship

    Our next Lead Pastor will certainly bring us new dreams, fresh language, and different abilities.  This person will take us places we haven’t gone before. However, they also will be someone who resonates deeply with these values of Oh Be Joyful Church. 

  • Naturally, each staff member will process this transition in their own way, and your care and support for them are always appreciated. One reason we are confident the church will thrive during this upcoming period is the strength and dedication of our committed, capable team. The Elders do not anticipate that the arrival of a new Lead Pastor will require a “changing of the guard.” However, some staff turnover may occur naturally during this time.