Rev. Danny Lybarger

Denomination: United Methodist Church (UMC)
Organization: The Well United Methodist Church

Rev. Danny Lybarger is the Founding Pastor of The Well United Methodist Church in Weldon Spring, Missouri, where he leads an inclusive, justice-minded congregation rooted in the mantra “Your seat at the table can’t cost someone else theirs.” A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, Danny brings a unique blend of theological rigor and radical hospitality to every context.

Before planting The Well in 2021, he served in diverse settings—from rural Alabama non-denominational congregations to one of St. Louis’s first fully inclusive megachurches—and has consistently championed full LGBTQ+ inclusion, women’s leadership, and community engagement. Danny’s ministry emphasizes creating safe space for those wrestling with doubt and deconstruction; he extends this work as host of The Deconstruction Zone podcast, which reaches thousands each month with honest conversations at the intersection of faith and real life.

In addition to his pastoral and media work, Danny has guest-preached at Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Weldon Spring, where his sermon “Hope That Doesn’t Quit” (Romans 5:1-5) inspired listeners to embrace suffering as a pathway to endurance, character, and unwavering hope. His approach merges personal storytelling—like cheering on his son at a college hockey championship—with deep biblical insight, making complex theology accessible and compelling.

Outside the pulpit, Danny is an avid CrossFitter, a devoted dad cheering on his children’s sports teams, and a champion for local justice initiatives. His leadership continues to shape conversations around faith, compassion, and community, inviting all to join a growing movement of courageous discipleship and transformative hope.