A United Methodist Congregation on Kino Avenue
St. John's United Methodist Church sits at 1730 Kino Avenue in Kingman, Arizona, a few blocks from Western Avenue in a part of town where the Mohave County seat meets the high desert. The congregation gathers each week for three different services, runs a preschool that has filled its classrooms since 1994, and keeps a food pantry and clothing closet open to neighbors who need them. Its stated purpose is simple and direct: To welcome and affirm all people to experience the love of God, learn together to follow the example of Jesus, and work to be a blessing to our community and the world.
The church belongs to the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and supports the denomination's wider mission through UMCOR and Global Ministries. Members and visitors can give online through Tithe.ly or the church's Servant Keeper giving page, and sermons are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, SJUMCKingman. A printed copy of the previous Sunday's sermon is posted to the church's sermon page most weeks, with occasional guest speakers filling the pulpit.
Three Sunday Mornings, Three Different Sounds
St. John's does not ask its congregation to choose between old and new; it offers both, and a third option later in the week. Modern Praise meets at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and is led by Chris Commisso, the Contemporary Music Director. Traditional Worship follows at 10:30 a.m. with Karin Kopecky directing the traditional music program. Large-print bulletins and a Modern Praise bulletin are available for download on the church's site. Christian Folk Worship gathers on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m., rounding out a week that gives people three chances to worship in a style that fits them.
Senior Pastor Rev. Amy Kalm preaches most Sundays, and a steady rotation of guest preachers fills in on occasional Sundays. Recent sermon titles posted to the site cover a wide range of lectionary texts, including a September 2026 message on the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.
Grace Neal Preschool: Thirty Years on the Church Campus
Grace Neal Preschool has called St. John's home since August 1994. What began with six children has grown into a program serving 153 infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age kids from Kingman and the surrounding area. The preschool operates out of the church's facilities and is led by Director Mande Padilla, who started at Grace Neal as an assistant teacher fourteen years ago and holds an associate degree in early childhood development.
The school is organized by age group, with a lead teacher (and often an assistant) for each classroom:
- Infant Room with Ms. Allisea, focused on motor milestones, grasping, and early language
- One's Room with Ms. Kelly and Ms. Kamie, built around free play, story time, and creative mess
- Two's Room with Ms. Robin and Ms. Krista, working on routines, potty training, and early problem solving
- Three's Littles with Ms. Hailey, transitioning toddlers toward preschool structure
- Three's Bigs with Ms. Laurie, a forty-seven-year childcare veteran who runs weekly chapel time
- Pre-K 1 with Ms. Amber, who also serves as assistant director and drives the school van
- Pre-K 2 with Ms. Shyann, focusing on the year before kindergarten
- School Age Room with Ms. Jenni and Mr. Brian, offering after-school care during the school year and an all-day summer program
Each preschool and Pre-K classroom follows the same five-part rhythm: circle time, arts and crafts, math and science, play time, and Bible activities. The school age program picks children up from Hualapai Elementary and the bus stop on Western and Kino, runs a homework club, and during summer includes crafts, outdoor games, and short devotions. Families can contact the preschool through a form on the church's site.
Bible Studies, Potlucks, and Small Groups
The congregation meets around tables during the week as much as it does in the sanctuary. A Wednesday Night Potluck and Study brings people together for a shared meal before digging into Scripture. A Men's Bible Study meets separately for men who want to study together. Other ongoing small groups include Men's Fellowship, Women Doing Life Together, and a Young Adults and Singles Group for adults navigating that season of life. Chair Yoga is offered as a gentle movement option that fits the church's commitment to caring for the whole person.
The church's Nurture Team oversees member care, worship support, and the educational experiences that tie these groups together. The team meets quarterly - in January, April, July, and October - and its meetings are open to anyone in the congregation who wants to help.
Nana's Pantry and the Clothes Closet
Two outreach ministries operate out of the church each Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Nana's Pantry distributes food boxes to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, and the Clothes Closet provides gently loved clothing to anyone in the community who needs it. The Clothes Closet is currently not accepting donations, but it remains open to those who need items. Together, these Friday ministries have become one of the most visible ways St. John's lives out its purpose to be a blessing to its community.
Music on Sunday Mornings
Music plays a central role at St. John's, which is one reason the church staffs two music directors. Karin Kopecky leads the traditional music program that supports the 10:30 a.m. service with hymns and choral pieces. Chris Commisso directs the contemporary music program behind the 9:00 a.m. Modern Praise service. A Modern Praise bulletin and a large-print traditional bulletin are available on the church's site so that members and visitors can follow along or prepare ahead of time.
Resources for Members and Visitors
The church keeps an active online presence centered on a few key resources. Sermons from the previous Sunday are posted as PDF downloads, going back several years. Current Week Bulletins are uploaded so people can follow along at home or prepare for what is coming up. A Weekly Devotion is published on the church's site, with occasional breaks. A monthly Newsletter is available as a PDF download. News & Happenings lists upcoming events, and a Giving page offers online donations through Tithe.ly and Servant Keeper. The YouTube channel SJUMCKingman carries the livestream of Sunday services and additional video content.
Visiting St. John's
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., closed for lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and closed on Fridays. The main phone line is 928-692-8828, and email goes to st.johns@citlink.net. Visitors wanting to experience the breadth of the congregation's worship life can attend Modern Praise at 9:00 a.m., Traditional Worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, and Christian Folk Worship at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, all on the Kino Avenue campus. Anyone in need of food or clothing is welcome at Nana's Pantry and the Clothes Closet on Friday mornings. Families interested in Grace Neal Preschool can request information through the church's contact form.