With gratitude and love, Morning Star Baptist Church announces the upcoming retirement of our Senior Pastor, Bishop John M Borders III, effective December 31, 2026.

After 45 years of faithful service, Pastor Borders has led our congregation with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication. His ministry has shaped generations, strengthened families, and guided our church through seasons of growth, challenge, and transformation.

This transition marks a significant moment in the life of our church, and we enter it with both celebration and deep appreciation for all that Pastor Borders has poured into this community.

A Pastoral Search Committee has been formed and will serve as a bridge between a treasured legacy and an unfolding future. Our work must honor the past, discern the present, and prepare for the future, ensuring that the next Pastor is both God’s choice and the congregation’s joyful affirmation.

We invite the entire Morning Star family to join us in honoring Pastor Borders’ extraordinary legacy and praying for God’s guidance as we step into this next chapter together.

The Pastoral Search Committee has been appointed to lead Morning Star Baptist Church through the process of identifying and recommending our next Senior Pastor.
Representing a crosssection of our church family, the committee includes members from the Deacons, Deaconesses, Ministers, Trustees, Music Ministry, and the congregation at large.
The committee’s work will be guided by the following 5 principles,

• Prayerful Discernment
• Transparency and Trust
• Congregational Participation
• Confidentiality and Integrity
• Excellence and Due Diligence

Regular updates will be provided to the congregation, and opportunities for input and
participation will be offered throughout the process.

We invite the Morning Star family to keep the committee in prayer as we take on this history making assignment.

Here are some frequently asked questions submitted for the benefit of the Morning Star Congregation that address several key issues pertaining to our search for a new Pastor for our Church. They are offered for the consideration of our Church community and are intended to clarify matters relating to the Pastoral Search Committee and the procedures it will follow in seeking out qualified candidates to succeed Bishop John M. Borders III as he transitions from his role as Senior Pastor and spiritual leader of Morning Star. They are not intended to address every conceivable question Church members may have, but rather, to serve as an overview as we move forward on our mission.
​https://storage1.snappages.site/G4NB4C/assets/files/PSC_FAQ_06012026.pdf​​​

As part of the pastoral search process, the congregation will have the opportunity to share feedback, hopes, and priorities for the next Pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church. Your voice matters, and the Search Committee is committed to listening to the Morning Star family throughout this transition.

A survey will be made available to gather your input on the qualities, experience, and leadership strengths that are most important to you. This information will help guide the committee as we evaluate candidates and discern God’s direction for our church.

When the survey is released, a link will be posted here and shared through church announcements and email communications.

We encourage every member to participate and to continue praying for unity, wisdom, and clarity as we move forward together.

The Pastoral Search Committee is committed to open communication throughout this process. If you have questions, feedback, or need clarification at any point, please reach out.
Contact:

• Email:msbc-psc@msbc-bos.org

Updates will continue to be shared through Sunday announcements, email communications, and this webpage.