Tucked into the Sun Lakes community along East Riggs Road, First Baptist Church Sun Lakes has become a gathering place for believers who travel in from across the southeast Valley. Members commute from Sun Lakes itself, the neighboring Sunbird and Springfield developments, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Casa Grande, and Maricopa to take part in a church that calls itself "a church of hope." With a commitment to the perfect Word of God, a life lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and a steady rhythm of worship, Bible study, fellowship, and missions, the congregation has earned a reputation as a friendly, doctrinally grounded Southern Baptist church that welcomes both longtime residents and newcomers to the desert.
Sunday Mornings from Coffee to Choir
Sunday at First Baptist Church Sun Lakes follows a familiar three-part rhythm that lets worshipers settle in, study, and stay for community. The doors open early with two adult Bible studies that begin at 8:30 AM. The Chronological Bible Study, meeting in the Conference Room, walks participants through Scripture from beginning to end so that the grand story of God's work unfolds in order and listeners can find their own place in the narrative. Across the hall in the Choral Suite, the Unshakable study works through Paul's letter to the Colossians, examining how the apostle encouraged that early church in spiritual growth, Christian maturity, and the discernment of sound teaching.
At 9:30 AM the focus shifts from study to fellowship in the Christian Life Center, where volunteers serve free coffee and donuts. Members use this half hour to catch up with friends, greet visitors, and ease into the morning before the service begins.
Worship itself begins at 10:00 AM in the main Worship Center, where a blended style of congregational singing, choir, and preaching fills the room.
Two Services, One Family
The church offers two distinct Sunday morning worship services so that people can find the style that fits them best. The 10:00 AM service is the traditional gathering, accompanied by the Worship Choir and Orchestra and led by church accompanist Mutsumi Mori. Congregational singing carries psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in the spirit of Colossians 3:16, and the choir prepares hearts for expository preaching that walks through books of the Bible one at a time so that worshipers receive the whole counsel of God's Word.
At 11:00 AM a second, more contemporary service opens up. Praise and worship music and other artistic elements shape the atmosphere, while the message remains the same and is designed to engage both heart and mind toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Scripture verses are projected on screens during both services, so no Bible is required, though the host team in the main lobby is happy to give one away to anyone who would like one.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
First Baptist Church Sun Lakes wants new faces to feel at ease from the moment they arrive. The campus offers ample parking, including designated handicapped spaces near the east entrance of the Worship Center, and a covered drop-off area sits under the portico at the main entrance for anyone who needs to step out of the car at the door.
Inside, a Welcome Desk stands just inside the main entrance, staffed by a volunteer team ready to answer questions and offer a Bible. There is no dress code; people come in everything from coat and tie to jeans and casual wear. During worship, standing is encouraged but not required, and visitors are never singled out or asked to stand for any reason.
Giving is described as a personal decision between a worshipper and God, and visitors are never asked to put money in the plate. Online giving is available for those who wish to support the church's ministry or partner with Operation Christmas Child shipping costs.
Beliefs and Convictions
First Baptist Church Sun Lakes identifies as a Southern Baptist church and is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The congregation affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as its statement of faith and is connected to the Valley Rim Southern Baptist Association and the Arizona Mission Network of State Baptists.
A high view of God sits at the center of everything the church believes. Members hold to the absolute authority and sufficiency of Scripture, trusting the Bible to be inerrant and the foundational authority for personal study, anointed preaching, biblical teaching, and discipling relationships. Sound doctrine and a pure gospel form the next pillar, with a focus on repentance from sin and dead works and faith in Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord.
Biblical authority and leadership undergirds the church's teaching on marriage, family, the church, and government, and the congregation commits to mutual accountability among its members. A pursuit of holiness, the primacy of prayer, a commitment to excellence in service, stewardship, study, and steadfastness, and a loving focus on people round out the doctrinal commitments. The church also prays for revival and reformation, asking God to awaken and empower believers, renew the church, and restore broken relationships.
Men's Ministry: Band of Brothers and Sons of Scripture
The men's ministry centers on two parallel Tuesday morning Bible studies that meet at 9:00 AM. Band of Brothers is the longest-running of the two and gathers in the Conference Room. It is an open forum that works through one book of the Bible at a time, fostering discussion and personal growth.
Sons of Scripture meets in the Choral Suite and follows a similar format. Born out of the success of Band of Brothers, this newer study lets the group choose the biblical material together under the Spirit's leading. A third avenue, the Maintenance Ministry, invites men to serve as hands-on stewards of the campus and facilities, partnering with the Buildings and Grounds Committee to care for the church's shared spaces.
Women's Ministry: Bible Study and Beyond
Women also gather on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 AM in Room 5 for the Women's Bible Study. The current series, titled "God Has a Purpose for You as You Grow Older," draws from James, Job, Philippians, the Psalms, and other books to show how God continues to use people whose wisdom has grown with the passing years.
Beyond the study, the Social Committee invites women to share God's love through food, decoration, and hospitality. Volunteers assist with Wednesday evening meals, Sunday morning donuts and coffee, and the thoughtful touches that make the building feel welcoming. The committee is coordinated by Patty LeVoir.
Hands of Grace offers themed craft sessions with all supplies provided for $5; first-time guests from outside First Baptist Sun Lakes attend free. Light refreshments accompany the work, and RSVPs help with preparation. A separate Greeting Card Ministry invites crafters to make and send cards to bless others, with no experience required.
Worship Arts: Music at the Center
Music runs through nearly every aspect of the church's life. Mutsumi Mori serves as church accompanist and leads the Worship Choir and Orchestra, accompanying both the congregation and the choir as a pianist, organist, and singer. She brings a deep love of traditional hymns, nurtured by her Methodist upbringing, and a commitment to preserving that music for future generations.
Rob Swanson, the Associate Pastor for Worship Ministries, leads the Praise Team and Band that shape the contemporary Sunday service. Membership on the praise team is by audition only, in keeping with the church's pursuit of musical excellence.
Behind the scenes, the Tech and Production Team handles lights, sound, PowerPoint, design, video, and photography each week. The team welcomes both students and adults and serves as a practical entry point for anyone wanting to serve behind the curtain. Rehearsals for the Worship Choir run on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:45 PM in the Choral Suite.
Wednesday Eat, Study, Pray Fellowship
Midweek at First Baptist Church Sun Lakes centers on a shared meal, a time of prayer, and a Bible study. At 4:00 PM on Wednesdays, members and friends gather to eat together, pray for one another, and study God's Word. The Hospitality Team provides the food at no charge, although donations are appreciated. The fellowship pauses for the summer and resumes in early September, with a fall kickoff dinner that brings everyone back together.
Drive-Thru Prayer on Monday Mornings
Every Monday morning between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, the church hosts a Drive-Thru Prayer under the portico at the main entrance. Anyone can pull up in a car, or a golf cart, given the Sun Lakes community's preference for personal transportation, and stay in the vehicle. A prayer team comes out to pray with each visitor, no appointment needed. It is one of the simplest and most distinctive rhythms of the church.
GriefShare, DivorceCare, and Walking Together
The church believes that no one should walk through hard seasons alone. Both GriefShare and DivorceCare are offered as biblically based support programs that meet on an as-requested basis. Anyone interested in joining a group contacts the church office to schedule a meeting.
Mission: From Arizona to the World
Generosity and service run throughout the life of First Baptist Church Sun Lakes. The congregation supports North American and international missions alongside local ministries such as Choices Pregnancy Center, Casa de Amor, Set Free Church, and the ministry to international students at Arizona State University. Church members have traveled to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Greece, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, and Taiwan to share the love of God.
Operation Christmas Child is one of the church's signature missions. Each fall, members gather to pack shoeboxes with gifts for children around the world in partnership with Samaritan's Purse. The congregation has supplied hundreds of boxes in recent years. A dedicated giving page funds the per-box shipping cost, and recurring monthly partnerships help sustain the work year-round.
Pastoral Staff and Church Office
Stephen Foss serves as Senior Pastor. A graduate of Winthrop University, he holds a Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and has done additional divinity work at Phoenix Seminary. He has pastored churches in New Mexico, Arizona, and Virginia, and has published several books including "Freedom's Foundation," "5 Understandable Words on Christmas," "Discovering Psalm 119," and the children's book "I'm a Country Gopher." He and his wife Sandra have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. Pastor Foss preaches on Sunday mornings, leads Bible studies, and visits shut-ins.
Rob Swanson serves as Associate Pastor for Worship Ministries. Originally from Illinois and a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, he has done advanced graduate study at Wake Forest and is completing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. He leads the contemporary service, teaches, and counsels. He and his wife Melissa have two children, a daughter-in-law, and four Australian shepherds.
Mutsumi Mori is the church accompanist. Originally from Japan, she came to the United States as a foreign exchange student and earned dual degrees in Choral Music Education and Piano Performance from Northern Arizona University, followed by a Master's in Vocal Coaching and Collaborative Piano from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She also performs with the Phoenix Symphony and brings her love of traditional hymns to the congregation each week.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and on Friday from 9:00 AM to noon. Visitors and newcomers can stop by at 9535 East Riggs Road in Sun Lakes, call 480-895-1088, or write to office@fbcsl.org.