History

An Overview of Our History and Hopes for the Future

In December of 1979 under the guidance and leadership of Pastors Daniel Adamcik and E. Hjortland, a few individuals gathered in the R.H. Johnson Center Lecture Hall in Sun City West, to attend what would become the first worship service of Lord of Life. The number of worshipers continued to grow and by November of 1981 Lord of Life was organized with 160 charter members. One month later Pastor Ruby was called as the first pastor and Lord of Life became a self-supporting congregation continuing to worship at the R.H. Johnson Center.

In the spring of 1985 five acres of land were purchased at Meeker Boulevard and R.H. Johnson in Sun City West. Plans were then drawn and construction started on the new church building. The first services were held in the new Sanctuary in September of 1986, by which time the membership had increased to 489.

As membership, programs and staff grew so did the need for more space. By the middle of 1991 funds were raised, plans drawn and ground broken to expand the campus adding a fellowship hall and adjacent administrative offices. Also included in the expansion was a Columbarium.

Growth continued and in 2003 once again Lord of Life embarked on an expansion and remodeling project, this time to add meeting rooms and to renovate the Narthex and fellowship hall.

In 2010 a part of the Mission In Motion campaign the congregation voted to raise funds to purchase a pipe organ. A German builder, Glatter-Götz was chosen and by the summer of 2012 teams of volunteers worked endless hours retrofitting, renovating and updating the Sanctuary in preparation for deliver of the beautiful new instrument. Finally, in September of 2012 the containers arrived and installation began. It is anticipated we will hear the first notes by January of 2013 with dedication scheduled for January 2014.

It has been just over 40 years since Lord of Life was first organized with the original 160 Charter Members. We have been richly blessed and continue to focus on worship, learning, welcoming, caring, serving and giving, now with well over 1300 members and weekly worshipers exceeding 78% of membership!

Missions have always been an important part of Lord of Life’s ministry and the congregation generously gives to support those in need near and far. Current missions under the Mission In Motion campaign include Tanzania and the Navajo nation schools. In addition, funds are being provided for two foreign missionaries and tuition assistance given to three seminarians. In fact, mission support at Lord of Life represents 30% of annual giving! To learn more about the many ministries at Lord of Life we invite you to go to the Ministries page.

The mission of Lord of Life is to discern, celebrate and participate in God’s redemptive mission in the world. Thus, Mission In Motion – Stepping Out in Faith – is the theme of today and the future. God has been generous to the members of Lord of Life. We journey where we are led and follow the Holy Spirit with confidence, joy and hope.