On Del Webb Boulevard in Sun City
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church sits at 15630 N Del Webb Blvd in Sun City, Arizona. The congregation meets in a single location and identifies itself by the motto "Hopeful in Christ, Confident in Grace." A Lutheran Church Missouri Synod parish, it follows a traditional worship rhythm and sustains hands-on ministries for its members and for neighbors across the West Valley.
Sunday Worship and Bible Study
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM and is followed by Bible study at 11:15 AM. Services are livestreamed on YouTube so members who are traveling or homebound can follow along. A Sunday Bulletin is available each week, with past bulletins and an audio archive of sermons from 2021 and 2022 posted for revisiting recent messages.
A Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Parish
The congregation states plainly that it is a member of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Its beliefs are summarized in its own words: "We follow the Bible in believing that all humanity is saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and that this faith is to express itself in a life of love. We make the Bible alone our spiritual guide and our certain hope of heaven." The stated mission is "to proclaim Christ crucified for the sake of the world and commit ourselves as servants for others, all to the glory of God."
Pastor Robert Rogers
Pastor Robert Rogers was born in Bellevue, Washington, and moved as a child to Coolidge, Arizona, where his father, a chemist, worked in the copper mines. He graduated from Concordia University Texas with a major in Communication and from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Master of Divinity. His most recent call before Fountain of Life was at Trinity Lutheran Church in Villa Park, Illinois. He and his wife, Danya Vanzura, were married in June 1986 and have four grown children.
Elders, Trustees, and the Church Council
Lay leadership at Fountain of Life is active and clearly organized. Don Schukei, who serves as Church Council President, was born and raised in Northern California, moved to the Phoenix area in 1985, and retired after a 42-year career in law enforcement. John Gudritz chairs the Elder Board; he was born and raised in Pasadena, California, married Pat in 1970, and worked as a computer operator and program analyst before relocating to the Phoenix area. Russ Druckenmiller heads the Board of Trustees; he grew up in Bremerton, Washington, served in the Army Airborne, and transferred to Fountain of Life in 2010 from Trinity in Fountain Hills. Additional trustees include Jim Miller, John Wiser, Bob Wecker, Butch Kurth, and Trustee Secretary Judy Schmidt. Elders also include Jerry Hans, Steve McIntyre, and David Simons. Members come from across the country, and many retired to Sun City after long careers in engineering, mortgage finance, the military, and small business.
Quilts That Travel Across the West Valley
One of the most visible ministries at Fountain of Life is the Quilters group. Members meet every Wednesday at 9:00 AM to tie, stitch, and finish quilts together. As the church explains, "If you can tie a knot, you will be a vital part of this ministry. If you can't tie a knot, we'll teach you to 'do the loop.'" No experience is required and everyone is welcome. Before the finished quilts leave the church, they are dedicated at the altar: "Prior to leaving our church, these quilts are blessed and prayed over so that they may bring the love of Jesus to each person they reach." Every month the group finishes dozens of quilts, which are donated to local pregnancy centers, women's shelters, and children's organizations throughout the West Valley.
Music in the Music Room on Fridays
Two ensembles rehearse in the music room each Friday afternoon. The Heavenly Chimes meet at 2:15 PM and the Fountain of Life Choir meets at 3:30 PM. Both groups welcome new members, and the music ministry is an open door for singers and handbell players who want to support Sunday worship.
Many Ways to Serve
Beyond quilting and music, Fountain of Life offers a wide slate of "Servants Hearts" ministries: Altar Guild, Chimes, Choir, Greeters and Ushers, Hospitality, Prayer Chain, and Sound System. Each area is a defined role that members can step into, and newcomers who want to put their gifts to work are encouraged to join.
The Faith Library and the Connection Newsletter
The Fountain of Life Faith Library is refreshed regularly with new titles, including recent books about Martin Luther, daily devotions, and novelistic retellings of Jesus's "lost years." Readers can reserve a book by submitting the title, their name, and contact information; reserved books are held for one week. Each month the congregation publishes Connection, its newsletter, assembled by First Vice-President Gary Hobbs.
Giving and Office Hours
Giving is supported three ways: a one-time online donation by check, credit, or debit card; a recurring gift completed by form and returned to the church office; and donations directed through Thrivent Choice dollars. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The phone number is 623-933-8246 and the email is execsecretary@suncitylutheran.org.