Pasadena's Morning Star Christian Church Seeks New Pastor After Leader's 15-Year Tenure

The church is searching for a full-time pastor to replace W. Harrison Trotter, Ph.D., who is retiring after leading the congregation for over a decade and a half.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Morning Star Christian Church, one of Pasadena's oldest historically Black community congregations, is searching for a new full-time pastor after the announced retirement of W. Harrison Trotter, Ph.D., who has led the church for 15 years. The church has formed a search committee under its Board of Trustees to find Trotter's successor.

Why it matters

The transition at Morning Star Christian Church, a prominent Pasadena institution, highlights the challenges many long-standing religious organizations face in finding new leadership as older pastors retire. The search for Trotter's replacement will be closely watched by the local community.

The details

Trotter, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, has been affiliated with Morning Star for 55 years and has held various roles including associate minister, youth minister coordinator, Bible study teacher, and member of the Men's Chorus before becoming senior pastor 15 years ago. During his tenure, the church revitalized its Youth Department and partnered with YouthBuild, a program where young people work in construction while earning a high school diploma.

  • Morning Star Christian Church was founded more than seven decades ago in 1954.
  • The church has been continuously incorporated in Pasadena since 1958.
  • Trotter has served as the senior pastor of Morning Star for the past 15 years.

The players

Morning Star Christian Church

One of Pasadena's oldest historically Black community congregations, founded in 1954 and continuously incorporated in the city since 1958.

W. Harrison Trotter, Ph.D.

The retiring senior pastor of Morning Star Christian Church, who has led the congregation for the past 15 years after serving in various other roles at the church for over 50 years.

Brenda Johnson

The Trustee Chairperson at Morning Star Christian Church, who is leading the search committee to find a new full-time pastor.

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What they’re saying

“We are seeking a full-time pastor who is called by God and equipped to preach and teach the word of God effectively.”

— Brenda Johnson, Trustee Chairperson (pasadenanow.com)

“The greatest gift I have ever received is having Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of my life. He has created an incredible plan for my life, which has led me to the position of Senior Pastor of Morning Star Christian Church, the Star of Pasadena.”

— W. Harrison Trotter (Morning Star Christian Church website)

What’s next

The search committee at Morning Star Christian Church will review applications and interview candidates to find a new full-time pastor to replace the retiring W. Harrison Trotter.

The takeaway

The transition at Morning Star Christian Church, one of Pasadena's oldest and most prominent Black community congregations, underscores the importance of succession planning and the challenges many long-standing religious organizations face in finding new leadership as older pastors retire.