The founding and senior pastor of Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills, Don Lawrence, is stepping down, effective Jan. 31 of 2017.

The announcement came from Lawrence and the Board of Elders at the end of the May 22 worship service. The move culminates a process that began nearly a year and a half ago to create a transition plan regarding the senior pastoral position.

Pastor Trent Renner has accepted the call to begin his ministry at the church in June. His first Sunday to preach will be June 12.

The two men will work together for about eight months before Lawrence leaves.

“We eagerly look forward to see what the Lord will do in the next stage of the life of Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills,” according to a church statement.

Renner, of Phoenix, is the founder of Return Hope International. He has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor and lead pastor of churches ranging in size from 20 to 21,000 members.

He grew up on a farm in Oakley, Kan., and met his wife Kelli at Manhattan Christian College. He studied church and ministry leadership at Hope International University.

They have four children, Madison, Riley, Garrett and Mia, and will move to town.

Two years ago on the church’s 30th anniversary, some members inquired about a plan for succession.

“I’ve never been real good at developing a five-year plan or a long-range plan. I had a vision for the church, but I never ‘formalized’ it. I like what Jesus said when He said, ‘Don’t worry about tomorrow, today has enough concerns of its own,’” Lawrence said. “Nonetheless, our members and our board have a right to know what the plans are for the future of the church and the what, when and how’s of the senior pastor position.

“First, I didn’t want to hold God to man-made ages, dates, schedules, etc. You know, age 65, or 62 or 66. I’d much rather be on God’s schedule than mine or any man-made schedule.

“So, I prayed that God would somehow show me when, and also that He would show me who”

Lawrence said he believes his prayer was answered with Renner.

“I believe that God has indeed brought to us the right man at the right time,” said Lawrence.

He said that he and his wife, Lisa, intend to remain in Fountain Hills and stay involved in the church.

“Most of our closest friends are right here. Both of our daughters are very involved in this church. Our grandchildren attend this church. We love this church,” said Lawrence. “Trent very quickly said that he would absolutely like Lisa and me to stick around. I think this says a lot about Trent’s character and his spiritual maturity.

“Among other things, it says that Trent gets it! It’s not about me. It’s not about Trent. It’s all about Jesus and His Church.”

Lawrence founded Christ’s Church, an independent, non-denominational church, in 1984. The church met in a business suite on Enterprise Plaza with 22 founding members. After a few months, the church outgrew the space and began holding worship services and Sunday school next door in the former Presbyterian building, corner of Enterprise and Panorama.

Over the next several years the church leased more space in the plaza to accommodate the growth. Additional worship services were also added.

In October of 1989, the church entered into a contract with MCO Properties for the purchase of its current five-and-a-half acre location on E. Bainbridge Ave. Construction of the current fellowship/classroom building began in June 1990.

During the construction, the church held services and Sunday school at McDowell Mountain Elementary School. The congregation occupied the fellowship/classroom building in February 1991. The 400-seat worship facility was completed in August 2001.