Former council member tapped to lead nonprofit chapter

SBJ file

Justin Burnett is named organizer of the southwest Missouri chapter of Missouri Faith Voices.

Justin Burnett, a former member of Springfield City Council, has been hired to lead the local chapter of a faith-based nonprofit.

Burnett told Springfield Business Journal he starts in January as organizer for the southwest Missouri chapter of Missouri Faith Voices.

"This chapter has one full-time employee, myself, along with many volunteers from partner faith congregations," Burnett said via Facebook Messenger.

He's slated to succeed the Rev. Susan Schmalzbauer, who was appointed as pastor of the Bois D'Arc United Methodist Church.

Missouri Faith Voices is a faith-based, grassroots organization "committed to racial equity and disentangling faith and white supremacy," according to its website. Southwest Missouri is one of four chapters statewide for the organization based in Jefferson City.

Burnett resigned from council in 2016 when he moved his residence from Zone 2. He ran for council's General Seat A earlier this year and lost to Heather Hardinger.

The Springfield News-Leader was first to report on Burnett’s new job at Missouri Faith Voices.