In the beginning. . .
Desert Cross has a rich heritage and long standing tradition. We were not always known as Desert Cross Community Church. What is today Desert Cross was once known as Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church.
This all began in 1929 when Mr. Kiichi Sagawa came to a life changing faith in Jesus Christ and began a Sunday School in his home in Tolleson. That Sunday School was later relocated to the Japanese Language School on the corner of 43rd Avenue and Indian School Road.
Mr. & Mrs. Hamm and Mr. & Mrs. Simpson, members of the First Free Methodist Church, came faithfully each Sunday afternoon to teach the young Japanese children. Mr. Hamm, a building contractor, assisted by Rev. Clyde Burnett, the missionary superintendent of the Japanese Free Methodist Conference, erected a building on the corner of Indian School Road and 43rd Avenue.
In 1932 the church was officially organized and dedicated on May 8, with Rev. J. A. Kashitani who served as our first pastor. There were many missionaries who helped in those early years, including Dorothy Wheeler (1936 - 1938), Alice Fensome (1938 - 1940), and Dorcas Early (1940 -1944).
Our present sanctuary was built in 1964 on land that was donated by Mr. Kiichi Sagawa. The original buildings were moved from their original locations and placed on our current church property.
For many years this church was comprised predominantly of Japanese families. As time moved forward many of the children and grandchildren began to date and marry outside of the Japanese culture, resulting in a change in the make up of the church body. The world around the church was changing and now Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church was changing too.
In 2007 a vote was taken to change the name of the church from Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church to Desert Cross Community Church. This new name is more reflective of the wonderful diversity of the family we know and enjoy at Desert Cross.
God has given us an incredible heritage. As Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church He gave us deep roots and great family strength. Now as Desert Cross, He is giving us a great future as we build on our past history and press forward through our diversity, to reach many more people and bring them into the family of God.
Welcome Home!
"Reaching out, Touching lives and Changing this changing world" ©
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This Week .... For You!
Sunday 8:30 AM
Worship Team rehearsal:
Adult Java Break
10 AM
Adult:
English Worship Service
Nichigo Worship Service
Kidz Teaching Time during Adult message
Mondays
Elation Praise Team rehearsal 7PM
Tuesdays @ 7PM
Life Journey Groups
Friday @ 7 PM
Genesis Bible study
2nd Saturday @ 7:30 AM
Men's Breakfast @ Golden Corral - 55th & Northern
3rd Saturday's @ 8:30 AM
Community Prayer Time
DC3 Podcast!
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