Every year in America, thousands of churches close their doors for good and spiritually-hungry “sheep” are forced to look for other flocks into which they can fold.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, Four Peaks Community Church is closing, but many members aren’t turning out the lights and locking the door — they are transitioning to a Harvest Bible Chapel.

The church will conduct a 10 a.m. service on Sunday to celebrate its history and to look forward to the future.

In what is sometimes referred to as “revitalization,” Four Peaks will dissolve as a corporation, its leaders will step down, and the people will enter into a rebuilding phase under a new senior pastor, Justin Erickson.

Starting Jan. 26, those transitioning with Erickson will undergo months of intense training and equipping that will eventually result in a Harvest Bible Chapel this fall.

Erickson said Harvest Bible Chapels are part of a movement that began under the preaching ministry of James MacDonald in Elgin, Ill., who is heard daily across the country on his radio program, Walk in the Word.

Now 97 churches strong, they are present in 15 countries, five continents and united with one mission.

“We have a clear, simple and urgent approach to ministry,” said Erickson, “To glorify God through the fulfillment of the great commission, in the spirit of the great commandment.

“We are unapologetic in our preaching, unashamed in our worship, unceasing in our prayers, and unafraid in our proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Erickson, who relocated his family of seven to Arizona from Nebraska, said he began the first Sunday of the year calling the people of Four Peaks to prepare for a great work of God by answering the call to give themselves away to the only thing that truly matters — the kingdom of God.

Erickson said Sunday’s service will look back one last time to celebrate its history, but all with a view to look forward in anticipation of Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18, “I will build My church and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it.”

Anyone from the community, but especially those who have been a part of the church’s past, is welcome to attend.

The church is located at 15202 N. Fountain Hills Blvd.