Service Times

History

THE DREAM:

The dream and vision for establishing an Evangelical Methodist Church in the rural desert south of the city of Casa Grande, was first envisioned by Rev. James Mumme in the year 1964. Arizona City of that era consisted of a great deal of open desert land a lone mobile home park – though developers looking into the area saw a great potential and started drawing up ambitious plans to create a retirement community that catered to the senior citizens of that era. With the dream of a new church in that growing community, he joined with other like-minded believers who prayed diligently while holding on to the dream. They met regularly to share ideas and lay their cares and hopes before the cross together as a small yet diligent group.

With much prayer, funding from the group and other funds invested from various sources a parcel of land was acquired on Overfield Road, and a building permit was issued in the year 2003. The core group of prayer warriors who never forgot Rev. Mumme’s dream became the charter members of the soon to be built church. Amongst their number were Al and Vera Granger, David and Connie Livingston, and even a snow-bird couple; Dennis and Ann Gahr were amongst the charter members, as well as several others over the years.

Dr. Paul Bullman acting as architect was brought forward to plan and draw up the plans for the church. Grady Travis became the General Contractor with the assistance of the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (a group of talented workers who assist in the creation of buildings dedicated to the spreading of Gods Word) which came in teams as needed to assist in the construction build for the main sanctuary building. With assistance from Al Granger and others both near and far who also shared in the great dream came together to aid in the creation of the long-anticipated dream began to take form and substance.

It was with a great since of accomplishment and joy with thanks given to God for his great bounty that in January of 2005 the church was officially Dedicated. Rev. James Mumme inspired the church to be a place of teaching, training, and sending forth of members as well as supporting other missionaries to share the good new of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

A GIFT IN TRANSFER:

picture of Ernie and Anna Smith as Pastor and Wife

One of the facts that those living in a retirement community come to realize, though some fight it harder than others is that we mortals have a beginning and an end. Though this church was his great dream and he had the privilege of Pastoring it, It was early in 2008, that Rev. James Mumme retired, though his spirit was willing for years more, his body had grown old and frail, but to his immense relief he had the honor of passing his position to a Godly Man, who had just retired from the mission field, under the direction of World Gospel Mission. This Man of God, had built churches, trained pastors, mentored missionaries, worked as the Southwest Regional Manager for World Gospel Mission for a number of years and most recently returned from serving as the Field Director in the nation of Ukraine. He and his wife were and are still named Rev. Earnest and Anna Smith, (though most called him Ernie).

Rev. Ernie and Anna Smith did not seem to know what the word retirement actually meant. So during the years that he held the position of Senior Pastor for the church, it was revitalized, the building doubled in size, and the teaching, preaching, innovating, and creativeness of idea and follow through never lost its forward progress. Both the north and south wings were built, plans for a new Sanctuary and kids playground were drawn up , the closure of the Tucson church, disposition of funds, the continuation of the Eloi Bible College which was founded by Rev. Mumme, as well as floats for the “AZCity Days” parade were built, seen, then deconstructed; The church even won first place awards three times for the floats created on those years, the prizes of which can be seen the “social hall” of the church (south wing).

Though his instigation and a small bit of creative acumen from those he called on to help, created the tub that is still used for baptisms in the sanctuary, a library open to the members of the church was founded, conducted both large and small weddings, funerals, and mentoring a number of young and young at heart individuals over the years. Then in 2018 Pastor Ernie was diagnosed with brain cancer. It didn’t stop him, just slowed him down, and through the power of prayer and a blessing from our Lord, he was given 12-18 months as a timeline, yet it was not until mid February of 2020 after a fight of several years that he went on to Heaven ahead of his wife Anna with whom he had be recently celebrated their 57th Anniversary as of December 2019. Even while battling cancer, he took on the mentoring of a young couple and encourged them to attend Bible School and continuing to serve God wherever he chose to send them. So, they went to Kentucky Mountain Bible College to do just that.

The NEW PASTOR

The gentleman who took leadership center stage after Rev. Ernie had passed was a good man and a good Pastor by the name of Rev. Chet and Debra Kwait. They moved from the lush green of Washington to the dust brown spinkled with green of Arizona at the chance to assume pastoring our church. Pastor Chet was a talented man who played the acoustic guitar and sang, led the church in song, then gave the word of God to those in attendance. He has suffered a brain injury in the past, and worked diligently to overcome the slightest disability it left. In spite of working as a man of God, Preaching and Singing, he unfortunatly developed a diagnoses of cancer with a couple of years. At the start of 2025, he passed on to Heaven, after losing his fight with cancer.

A GIFT FOR THE PRESENT:

Remember that couple that Rev. Ernie had counseled to go to Bible School? God sent them back to our church. They went to Kentucky Mountain Bible College to see what God intended for them, they returned, and have become the pastorial family of our church. Vince and Becky Estrada, returned from Kentucky and is a mentee under Pastor Debbie of the Eloy EMC, and with meeting the guidlines stipulated by the governing EMC board for this area; Vince became Pastor Vince and with his wife Becky have taken the reigns of leadership of the Arizona City Evangelical Methodist Church. Though young, they both have the attitude, energy, and sense of humor; as well striving to live a life focused on a strong belief in God and teaching/preaching on the Word of God. The church is growing again, and slowly we are becoming a family of Christ centered believers once more, thanks in large part to the gift the God has given to us in the form of the Estada’s.

Looking forward, and note from the Webmaster…

I for one am hoping that if you have visited you will return.

If you are looking for a friendly Christian family, hug and handshake, even just a guinuine smile all in a Christ centered Church, and have not yet visited -then please give us a chance. We would love to welcome you in!

While your there, please stop by and say hi, my name is Mike Smith. I am usually near my mother (Anna Smith) or sitting in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings as my health permits.

As I remember my father (Pastor Ernie), he would usually ended each service with this verse:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

We Believe . . .

In the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In God the Father who is the God of love, mercy, truth, justice and holiness.
In Jesus Christ – His virgin birth, sinless life, death on the cross for our sins, resurrection from the dead, return to heaven, and future return to the earth.
In the Holy Spirit who purifies our hearts through faith and empowers us to live godly lives.
The Bible is God’s Word, our guidebook for living.
In the New Birth, in the transformation of our lives, and in assurance of everlasting life – heaven and hell are real places.
The Church is composed of all loving and obedient believers and will endure forever.

We are located at:

14350 Overfield Road | PO Box 267 (mail)

Arizona City, AZ 85123

Email: @

Call: (520) 705-1264