Shepherd of the Hills (SOTH) will celebrate 40 years of ministry in Fountain Hills at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 30.

The church is a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

The community is invited to join the congregation for the celebration. Music director Deanna Freund has planned a special program using the talents of the choir, praise team and trumpet player Dave Thibodeaux.

Former pastors Bruce Mortenson and Joel Bjerkestrand will participate in the worship service. Pastor Les Hoffmann will preach.

The congregation began with a small group of visionary lay people and pastors who felt a call by God to plant a congregation when Fountain Hills was in its infancy.

Initially a house church, the tiny congregation began to grow and soon moved to an office complex at the corner of Panorama and Enterprise Drive.

The American Lutheran Church (ALC) provided initial support as a mission church. In its early years, a number of pastors, retired and from other churches, led the way to establish a young and aspiring congregation.

On Feb. 22, 1976, Shepherd of the Hills was formally organized with 31 members with the help of Pastor Philip Dybvig. Maggie Smith is the only remaining charter member to still worship at Shepherd of the Hills.

In the Dec. 4, 1975 issue of The Fountain Hills Times, Pastor Dyvbig said, “If Christ were (physically) here today, he would seize the opportunity to preach the gospel of life to the masses and if followed, the people would lose the anxiety, stress and insecurity which impregnates their lives.”

Shepherd of the Hills soon moved out of the office complex and held services in the former Fountain Hills Community Center, now used as the Community Theater.

Pastor Les Hoffmann, director of missions for the South Pacific District of the ALC, approved the purchase of the 6-acre church site for $78,000. An architect was hired to design a new sanctuary and fellowship hall.

Dr. Gaylord Falde, district president of the South Pacific District, dedicated the new building on Oct. 29, 1978. One week later, Pastor Jim Ulrikson became the first pastor to preach in the new sanctuary. He was a part-time pastor because funds were insufficient to call him full-time. He generously worked more than part-time; he was a home building contractor in town.

Shepherd of the Hills was the only church in town in 1978 with its own building. It was used for a variety of functions. Catholics and Assembly of God congregations held services in the worship center.

In 1986, Pastor Brian Mortenson was called as the first full-time pastor. During his years, a building for offices and education was constructed. With his young family and active visitation of homes, the size of the congregation expanded.

Pastor John Cross, installed in 1990, followed him. His ministry at Shepherd of the Hills lasted only two years before he accepted a call into evangelism work.

Pastor Joel Bjerkestrand came in May 1994. During his ministry, the congregation experienced tremendous growth. Pastor Scott Thompson became the first associate pastor in 1999 to focus on youth ministry, family life and education programs.

The congregation outgrew the first sanctuary, requiring construction of a new worship center. It was dedicated on Oct. 29, 2009. A Prayer Garden and columbarium were dedicated on April 9, 2006.

Current pastors are Steve Bergeson and Kent Groethe. Bergeson was called to be senior pastor in 2005 and Groethe became teaching pastor in 2014.

In addition, there have been a number of interim pastors who have served the congregation. Pastor Jerry Ebbinga served twice as an interim pastor and he and his wife were also members of Shepherd of the Hills.

When the resurrected Jesus had spent 40 forty days with his disciples, he gave them one last challenge, “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." That is still his mission for Shepherd of the Hills.

The church website is sothaz.com.

Editor’s Note: Pastor Steve Bergeson provided the history of the church.