Pastor Clayton Wilfer will be installed at JOY Christian Community Church during the 9:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, Oct. 28.

The community is invited to the service and a potluck dinner after the installation. The church is located at 13430 N. Saguaro Blvd., Building 2.

Wilfer has been at JOY since early June. The congregation decided to host the installation after the summer, when more people had returned to town and could join the celebration.

Pastor Lyndon Korhonen, president of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, will preside at the installation.

Wilfer is a graduate of the Association of Free Lutheran Theological Seminary. Previously a 20-year resident of St. Paul, Minn., he was the pastor of Word of Life Church in Upsala, MN.

He and his wife, Heidi, have a daughter, Laura.

Wilfer said members believe that Jesus is the only way of salvation and that we are saved by His grace through faith.

“I have a passion for sharing the gospel message in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. I also have a great desire to see people grow as followers of Jesus,” said Wilfer.

“Discipleship is really about walking alongside one another in the love and truth of Jesus. We work on building each other up for works of ministry. Finally, I am firmly committed to biblical and Lutheran doctrine that is shared in love and grace.”

The late pastor Don Schrage began JOY more than 14 years ago. He died last October.

Since coming here, Wilfer said the church has installed new projectors and screens for worship, a new website (joyccc.com) a Facebook page and YouTube channel.

“But it’s not just social media,” said Wilfer. “We are working hard at getting out into the community in many ways.”

The church is sponsoring a “Halloween in the Hills” booth and a float in the Thanksgiving Day parade. They have planned movie nights and other community projects.

“What is most exciting is to see how people are growing in their love and knowledge of Jesus,” said Wilfer.