Searching for Our Next Lead Pastor
After 24 years of faithful leadership, our founding pastors, Jim Johnson and Paul Basden, are prayerfully preparing to step into the next chapter of their lives—creating an important moment of transition and hope in the life of our church. As we look to the future, we remain committed to the dual-leadership model that has shaped Preston Trail for more than 20 years. With this in mind, we are seeking the right man to serve as one of our two lead pastors, joining future Lead Pastor Alison Leamon in guiding our church into its next chapter.
This search is intentional and prayerful. Through a guided process led by our elders and leadership team, we are trusting God to bring the right leader—a man who will help shape our long-term direction, strengthen our mission, and steward the health of our church as we step into the next chapter.
This search is intentional and prayerful. Through a guided process led by our elders and leadership team, we are trusting God to bring the right leader—a man who will help shape our long-term direction, strengthen our mission, and steward the health of our church as we step into the next chapter.
About Preston Trail
At Preston Trail, we are a mission-driven church. That means everything we do flows out of our mission, helping people find and follow Jesus Christ.
Highlights
- Founded: 2002 in Frisco, Texas
- Denomination: Non-Denominational
- Average Weekly Attendance: 4,500
- Adults: 2,400
- Next Gen: 1,250
- Online: 850
- Staff: 55+
Who We Are Praying For
As we search for our additional lead pastor, we are praying for a man uniquely called to shared leadership who possesses the humility that such a role requires. We are seeking someone who brings strategic vision, a future focus, a pastor’s heart, and strong teaching and communication gifts, who will help guide our church into its next chapter of mission and impact alongside Alison Leamon.
Succession Timeline
We’re prayerfully discerning God’s timing and direction throughout the search process. We anticipate four key phases in this season:
Phase I
Prayer & Preparation
Summer 2025 - Spring 2026
Our Elder team has been prayerfully seeking God's direction and preparing for a healthy transition - and God has already been at work, directing us to one of our future lead pastors from within our own teaching team: Alison Leamon.
Phase II
Search & Selection
Summer 2026 - Early Spring 2027
A period of prayerful searching, engaging potential leaders, and trusting God to bring the right man into focus for the open lead pastor role.
Expected to last six to nine months
Phase III
Welcome & Assimilation
Spring - Fall 2027
During this leadership overlap, our founding senior pastors will build deeper relationships with our incoming lead pastors while thoughtfully and prayerfully preparing for the transition ahead.
Phase IV
Leadership Transition
Late 2027
We will honor Jim's and Paul's faithful leadership and look ahead with hope. They will formally pass the baton to our two new lead pastors, marking the official handoff as they step into retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why succession and why now?
After 24 years of faithful leadership, Jim & Paul are sensing that this is the time to complete their season as our senior pastors, stepping away from their staff role and into the next chapter of their lives. At the same time, this is a healthy and hopeful moment in the life of our church. Launching the public phase of the succession process now allows for a gradual transition over the next 18 months–while Paul and Jim are still with us. During this time of leadership overlap, Jim and Paul will begin building deeper relationships with our incoming lead pastors, while thoughtfully and prayerfully preparing our church for the transition ahead.
Why continue a dual leadership model consisting of two lead pastors?
From the very beginning, Jim’s and Paul’s shared leadership model has meaningfully shaped the identity of Preston Trail. We believe this model strengthens the church in three key ways:
- Sustainability – Leaders share the joy and weight of ministry, supporting one another along the way, avoiding high stress that leads to burnout.
- Humility & Accountability – Decisions are shaped through a trusted partnership in which leaders can challenge, refine, and discern God’s will together with wisdom and care.
- Productivity – Dual leadership extends the reach of our leaders, allowing them to serve more people in more places.
Has God provided someone on our current staff to fill one of these roles?
We believe God has clearly been at work in the background, guiding us now to raise up Alison Leamon from within our own teaching team to be one of our two future lead pastors. Her impassioned teaching and leadership reflect not only Preston Trail’s values, but the heart of leadership we see defined in Scripture.
How will their distinct roles guide the church?
Together, the two lead pastors will guide Preston Trail’s vision, teaching, culture, and overall health. They’ll work side by side to shape the church’s direction, develop leaders, and help ensure we follow through on our shared mission of helping people find and follow Jesus.
Our future lead pastor will provide leadership for Preston Trail’s organizational strategy, health, and expansion so we can reach more people with the good news of the Gospel.
As lead pastor, Alison will provide leadership for Preston Trail’s spiritual formation, equipping, and shepherding so our people are growing to know, love, and follow Jesus more deeply.
Find our job descriptions here.
Our future lead pastor will provide leadership for Preston Trail’s organizational strategy, health, and expansion so we can reach more people with the good news of the Gospel.
As lead pastor, Alison will provide leadership for Preston Trail’s spiritual formation, equipping, and shepherding so our people are growing to know, love, and follow Jesus more deeply.
Find our job descriptions here.
How will accountability and healthy leadership dynamics be maintained within a male/female co-leadership model?
Preston Trail has always valued shared leadership, accountability, and healthy team dynamics. As we move into this next season, our elders remain committed to ensuring both lead pastors are supported, protected, and empowered within healthy leadership structures.
Because of the size and complexity of our church, leadership naturally and primarily happens within team environments alongside our Executive team and elders—not in isolation. That means the male and female lead pastors will be accountable to other team leaders as they meet and make decisions.
Because of the size and complexity of our church, leadership naturally and primarily happens within team environments alongside our Executive team and elders—not in isolation. That means the male and female lead pastors will be accountable to other team leaders as they meet and make decisions.
What resources can help me learn more about Preston Trail’s position on women in pastoral leadership?
We’re glad you asked! Here are some helpful links:
- Paul Basden & Jim Johnson, Women in Leadership – Our View.
- Jim Johnson, “A Woman's Place,” Counter Culture series, June 2021.
- Paul Basden, “The Future Is Together: A Biblical Conversation on Feminism, Calling, and Co-Leadership" with Pastor Alison Leamon,” The Pastor's Studio Podcast, April 3, 2025
- Paul Basden, “Redefining Feminism: A Biblical Case for Equality, Leadership, and the Full Image of God,” The Pastor's Studio Podcast, March 27, 2025.
- Preston Sprinkle, “Women in Ministry: What the Bible Actually Says,” The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, April 2026. (Watch) (Listen)
Where can I learn more about Preston Trail’s beliefs on hot topics in today’s culture?
At Preston Trail, we are mission-driven, not issue-driven. We work hard to keep the main thing the main thing: helping people find and follow Jesus. However, in this increasingly polarized world, we recognize that there are a handful of issues that have become persistent hot buttons and potential deal breakers for some who are searching for a church home. Below are additional clarifying thoughts on four key issues—a woman’s role in church leadership, sexual orientation, racism, and politics.
A Final Thought (Our Distinctives)
A Final Thought (Our Distinctives)
What will Jim & Paul’s roles be post-transition?
Jim and Paul will step into whatever ministry roles God may have for them, fully entrusting the leadership of our church to the new lead pastors. Although they will step off the Elder team, they and their families will remain part of the Preston Trail community.
As we search for our additional lead pastor, who will be involved in the decision-making process?
This process will be guided by a search team made up of our Elder team, current Senior Pastors Jim Johnson and Paul Basden, our Executive Pastors Sarah Davidson and Kendra Trautman, and Alison Leamon in her role as future lead pastor.
The search team will then bring candidates to the entire Elder team, which will prayerfully discern and make the final hiring decision.
The search team will then bring candidates to the entire Elder team, which will prayerfully discern and make the final hiring decision.
I’ve submitted an application, now what?
Once we receive your initial application, it will be reviewed by our Executive team. If we decide to move forward, you’ll receive an email from us to schedule an initial video call, complete our long-form application, or both.
I would like to share this job with someone.
We believe God often works through the people we know.
If the Holy Spirit brings someone to mind as you learn about this opportunity, we'd be grateful if you'd help us make the connection.
You can:
We've created a shareable one-page overview of this role. Click here to view.
We encourage you to share the link to this page as well.
If the Holy Spirit brings someone to mind as you learn about this opportunity, we'd be grateful if you'd help us make the connection.
You can:
- Email our search team with a personal referral.
We've created a shareable one-page overview of this role. Click here to view.
We encourage you to share the link to this page as well.
If I have questions, whom can I contact?
We'd be happy to connect with you for further discussion. Please email us at pastorsearch@prestontrail.org.