HISTORY OF DESERT FOOTHILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH The process that was involved with the formation of DFLC, took place in the spring of 1993, when a group of members from Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church found out that 10 acres of land adjacent to Scottsdale Road, that was owned by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, was planned to be sold to the public. In the fall of 1993, a letter was sent to the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod by the members to express their desire and commitment to start a mission church in North Scottsdale. Members continued to attend Shepherd of the Desert, but started to meet in each others homes for Bible Study, and to start to piece together the action needed to start a mission congregation. On October 16, 1994 the first service was held at a realty office at Jomax and Alma School Road. The Rev. Eugene Beyer officiated at this service and assisted the growing membership until a full-time pastor was hired in September of 1997. In the spring of 1995 the congregation moved their services to the Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse. As word started to spread, the church was known as the church that meets in a bar!
In November of 1996, groundbreaking took place on the church property. In February of 1997 construction started with the help of The Laborers For Christ, a group of mostly retired men and women from all parts of the country, sponsored by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In September of 1997 the Rev. Joseph Judge was installed as the congregation's first full-time pastor. On May 3, 1998 the first service was held in the newly completed sanctuary. An educational all-purpose building on the Northeast side of the sanctuary was also completed at the same time. In September of 1998 a Pre-School opened in the education building. Also in September the stained glass was installed in the church windows. In May of 1999 the Rev. Joseph Judge announced that he would be leaving in June, and the Rev. William Royer was installed as Interim Pastor in early June. On September 10th, 2000, the Rev. Michael Schmidt was installed as the full-time pastor for Desert Foothills Lutheran Church and Rev. Schmidt remains the pastor to the present. The church added a new Fellowship Hall in the fall of 2008. |
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In
April of 1996 a building fund drive was started titled "Building On His
Promises".