By the power of the Holy Spirit, as individuals, and as a congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church, we commit ourselves to:
- bring people into a vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ;
- love, care, and seek justice for all people;
- preserve and protect the environment;
- open ourselves to transformation and innovation as we praise God through our worship and work;
- grow in faith through the study of Scripture and
- commitment to a life of obedience to the Lord.
- These are the things Faith Presbyterian Church is committed to.
Faith Presbyterian Church Mission Statement
Faith Presbyterian Church is an inclusive, welcoming, caring community, committed to serving Jesus Christ, who calls us to love God and to love one another. We worship, study and grow in understanding as we work for justice and peace in the world, inspired by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, great things are possible. (From Matthew 17:20)
Our Organization
As Presbyterians, we believe in a representative style of church government, and our clergy and church officers are elected by our congregation to govern the church. All the officers at the Faith Presbyterian Church level come from within our church family.
Elders of Faith Presbyterian Church
The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder. Elders are elected by our congregation. Collectively they comprise the Session, our church’s highest governing body. In one sense they are representatives of the congregation, yet their primary charge is to seek and represent the will of God for the church.
Deacons
Our congregational deacons are responsible for providing care to our congregation. Each deacon has a DNA (Deacon Neighborhood Area) of about thirty family units and provides support to these families in any situation needing help.
Session Committees
These committees report to Session and include elders, staff members, and volunteers from our congregation. They work together to determine church policies, and to plan, organize, and implement the activities and programs essential to achieving our mission and supporting the life of our church.
A Brief History of Faith Presbyterian Church
On July 1, 1970, the Presbytery of Phoenix (which became the Presbytery of the Grand Canyon in January, 1973) purchased 6.8 acres of land in Phase II of Sun City for $46,000.00. In October of 1972, Dr. J. Davis Illingworth began his ministry with this new congregation, which met for worship for the first time on November 5, 1972.
On February 4, 1973, Faith Presbyterian Church was organized with 89 charter members, and on May 6, 1973, the Rev. Dr. J. Davis Illingworth was installed as pastor. Following Dr. Illingworth’s retirement in 1982, the Rev. Francis W. Park was called to Faith Church January 1, 1984. He retired March 31, 1998.
Several building campaigns have led to the development of a very functional campus for ministry. The Illingworth Hall was completed in 1977, the Sanctuary in 1977 and the final stage of the master plan was completed in 1986 with the construction of the Chapel.
Our Connection to the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Faith Presbyterian is a member of the Grand Canyon Presbytery along with seventy other Presbyterian churches in the northern half of Arizona. Each church is allowed the number of ministers on staff plus an equal number of elders to act as commissioners at five scheduled Presbytery meetings.
The Synod of the Southwest includes the Presbytery and four other Presbyteries in Arizona and New Mexico. Ministers, elders, and one youth delegate represent each Presbytery at the twice-yearly meetings of the Synod.
The sixteen Synods of the Presbyterian Church (USA) comprise the General Assembly. Two ministers, two elders, and one youth delegate represent the Grand Canyon Presbytery at the annual meetings of the General Assembly.
