Daring Faith Steps Out in Tucson

Pastor Mark Parsons "on the move" (dolly held by Bill Cassabaum)

“It’s important for us to be here … and to be strong,” says Pastor Mark Parsons, Tucson Light & Life (AZ). “But in order to grow, we’ve had to change,” he adds, referring to the church’s unanimous vote earlier this year to sell their building and relocate to a rapidly growing southeastern section of the city.

To make the move a reality — and a success for everyone in the church and those yet to be reached for Christ — Parsons has called the congregation to faith, prayer, giving and service. “Due to the distance involved and the failing health of some of our older members, many who are supporting this effort may not even get the opportunity to worship in our new church, or even at a temporary location,” laments Parsons, adding, “But they still believe.”

On July 4, nearly 80 people attended the final service in the old location; 33 worshiped together at the initial service soon thereafter in rented space in a school 16 miles away. But the new target location is in one of the fastest-growing sections of urban America, with some 100,000 expected to arrive in the next few years. The vision: to minister from the cradle to the grave. Parsons and his team are looking for property that can accommodate worship and day-care centers and an assisted-living facility — all on one campus. “Everybody matters,” says Parsons, “no matter who they are or how old they are.

“We want our lives to count,” he adds. “We want to leave a legacy here in the desert.

“And so we begin the journey: trusting in God, looking for Him to move in dramatic ways in Tucson,” Parsons says. “And there are no guarantees. We may have limited resources, but we believe that God’s vision for His church is much larger. And so, with daring faith, we step out.”