Pastor Trent Renner will deliver his first message as senior pastor at Christ’s Church this Sunday, June 12.

On May 22, the church announced that its founding pastor, Don Lawrence, would step down as the senior pastor, effective January 2017. Lawrence and Renner will serve together during an eight month transition period.

“Kelli and I are thrilled to be moving into this wonderful town and are looking forward to making Fountain Hills our home and serving the community at Christ’s Church, and I hope many in the community will use this new change as inspiration to be a guest at Christ’s Church on Sunday,” Renner said.

Renner said he is “excited to make many new friends in Fountain Hills who will work together to live for something greater than ourselves.”

Renner earned his undergraduate degree at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kansas. He then completed his graduate work at Hope International University in Fullerton, California.

He has held several pastoral positions since completing his studies. He was the founding pastor at Parkway Christian Church in Surprise, where he served for 13 years.

Additionally, Renner is the founder and director of Return Hope International, a missions organization whose primary work is in Uganda, Africa.

Lawrence said he and Renner had spoken on a couple of occasions over the last few years.

“Our members have come to know and respect him. There is a genuine sense of excitement in our congregation in anticipation of his ministry here,” said Lawrence.

In December 2014, the church partnered with Renner and Return Hope International to fund the building of a school in Bugiri, Uganda.

“In working with Trent in the past, we have learned of his enthusiasm and deep sense of commitment in serving our Lord. We are confident he will bring this same passion to the pulpit and to our ministry here,” Lawrence said.

Renner published a book, “Retweeting Jesus” which contains 30 devotions of Jesus’ sayings.

Trent and Kelli have four children. Their oldest daughter was recently married, another attends college and two have enrolled in Fountain Hills High School.

Renner said the family looks forward to attending and participating in sporting and extracurricular activities at the high school.