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Milestone
Christ’s Church commemorates 40 years
Fountain Hills congregation celebrates ‘40 and Forward’
Photo courtesy of Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills
From left, Christ’s Church Worship Pastor Dee Pavia and Lead Pastor Keith Pavia led in celebrating the church’s 40th anniversary celebration Sunday, May 5.
Photo courtesy of Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills
Several of Christ’s Church tithed ministries presented and met with members face-to-face during the 40th anniversary celebration.
Photo courtesy of Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills
A total of nine baptisms were made during the church’s “40 & Forward” celebration.
Photo courtesy of Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills
Special music was provided by Promiseland Preschool and Sunday School students.
Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills held a special gathering Sunday, May 5, that celebrated 40 years as a congregational church in Fountain Hills.
The celebration included a special message from Christ’s Church Pastor Keith Pavia, nine baptisms and special music from the Promiseland Preschool and Sunday School students.
Video messages were also presented from various pastors around the country, congratulating the church on its momentous occasion.
During the service, members of the congregation were asked to stand depending on the number of years attending Christ’s Church. While several families were new to the church, 12 families stood as 30-year members of the church and three families remained standing as 40-year members of the church.
The theme of the celebration was “40 & Forward,” emphasizing the church’s mission to look ahead to the future, remaining steadfast in the teachings of the Bible.
It was also the theme of Pavia’s personal message, who accepted Christ in his life nearly 20 years ago and has not looked back since.
“Our mission this year is ‘Run to Win,’ so everything we do message-wise is how we can win with Jesus every day,” Pavia said.
Church history
Christ’s Church was founded in May of 1984 by Founding Pastor Don Lawrence who led the church during its groundbreaking on Bainbridge Avenue in 1991 and its worship center constructed in 2001.
By 2010, Christ’s Church welcomed Promiseland Preschool to its church campus, a Christian childcare and early childhood education center.
In 2017, Lawrence stepped down as lead pastor as Trent Renner and Keith Pavia took over as lead pastor and executive pastor, respectively.
In 2020, Pavia became lead pastor of Christ’s Church, celebrating five years next year.
Honored to serve as the lead pastor for its 40th year, Pavia paid homage to the town’s oldest churches, Cornerstone Family Church and Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church which both celebrate 50 years this year.
During the 40-year celebration five of the nine baptisms were part of Pavia’s family. As a family-centered congregation, Pavia is also joined by his wife, Dee, who serves as the worship pastor.
“It was so cool having that many people stepping up and accepting Jesus,” Pavia said of the baptisms.
Tithed-ministries recognized
As an independent, non-denominational church with an emphasis on supporting those in need, the “40 & Forward” celebration welcomed several of its tithed ministries to attend the event including orphanages, pregnancy centers and prison ministries who met with members of Christ’s Church.
With members joining Christ’s Church from a wide variety of backgrounds and doctrines, Pavia says the church’s unifying belief is the teachings of the Bible and unity in Jesus.
“Everything we do points to why God is the way, the truth and the life,” Pavia said. “I don’t care if anyone knows who I am. We are Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills and we truly are a place to call home.”
Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills is located at 15555 E. Bainbridge Ave. For more information, visit christschurch.online or call 480-837-3121.
We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Cyrus Guccione can be reached at cguccione@iniusa.org.
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