Meet our Staff

David Pearson

Lead Pastor
Grateful husband and father of three daughters. Has a Masters of divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Been to a home game for every Major League Baseball team. Been in all of the 48 continental united states. 

Justin Chapman

Associate Pastor
Committed husband and father of five children. Has a BA in ministry and leadership from Randall University and is working on a Masters in clinical mental counseling. Was once an amateur bull-rider. Has lived in 33 places.

Alex Elleman

Youth Minister
Young and in love to his wonderful girlfriend. Currently enrolled at Missouri State University for his BA in English Creative Writing. Is currently learning Spanish. Loves the British sci-fi tv show Doctor Who. 

Lisa Malabuyo

Children's Minister
Loving wife and mother of four kiddos. Has a BA of Liberal Studies from Patten University (with minors in Math and Biblical Studies). Has never broken a bone, yet used to play softball and roller hockey.
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David Pearson

Lead Pastor

David joined the staff at Sojourn Church in July 2017 after serving as a Pastor, Planter, and Planting Catalyst in Philadelphia for 18 years.
He married his wonderful wife, Kelly, in 1990, who is the mother of their three daughters: Erin, Allison, and Emily. David and Kelly were both raised in Missouri and graduated from Southwest Missouri State University. He loves traveling, watching sports, and eating at family-owned restaurants (especially Mexican and BBQ!). He has a deep love for authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and insists the East coast is the only place to get them.

Justin  Chapman

Associate Pastor

Justin joined the staff at Sojourn Church in July 2022 as the Associate Pastor and has been in ministry since 2003. He loves connecting people to Jesus and connecting people to each other. He is always excited to use his gifts to help Sojourn Church serve our community so feel free to contact him when you have questions.
Justin and his awesome wife, Charlene, have 5 kids and a son-in-law. Justin is an Oklahoma native, but Missouri is the 5th state he's called home. He served in the navy for four years, and has been a welder and an "unsuccessful bull rider" (His words not mine). Justin loves major league baseball, frisbee disc golf, board games, snow skiing, and talking - he always has a fun story to tell!
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Alex Elleman

Youth Minister

Alex joined the staff at Sojourn Church in November 2022 as the Youth Director. He is passionate for serving the Youth and loves sharing Jesus with those who are curious. He was raised up in the Youth and went from a helper, to leader in training, to Youth leader, to Youth Director. 
Alex has many passions which include swimming, skateboarding, and rock climbing. He loves to read, but don't recommend any mediocre books to him because his reading list is never ending. He loves stories and is currently attending Missouri State University for a BA in English Creative Writing. 

Lisa Malabuyo

Children's Minister

Lisa joined the staff at Sojourn Church in December 2022 as the Children's Director. Lisa began serving in kid's ministry when she was in junior high. She has served as a teacher, nursery coordinator, and kid's ministry volunteer. She has also been a part of youth ministry and music teams.
Lisa was born in California and lived there until 2020 when she, her husband, and their 4 kids moved to Nixa whom she homeschools. She enjoys sewing and crocheting in her spare time. Road trips are her favorite thing to do, she hopes to continue towards her family's goal of seeing all 50 states. She also loves watching hockey, her favorite teams are the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.
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