Sunrise Mountain

Denominational Affiliations

• Sunrise Mountain is a cooperating Southern Baptist congregation, meaning we have deliberately chosen to affiliate with and be supportive of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, and the Estrella Baptist Association.

• And yet, our focus is not one of denomination only, but of relationship.
  • Simply stated, we welcome into our fellowship any and all believers who have personally received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, have been baptized by immersion, who hold the Bible to be the sole source for belief and practice of their faith, and desire to join us in the mission of reaching out and ministering to all people from every race, nationality, gender, and economic status.

• As a cooperating congregation of the Southern Baptist Convention, we join with over 67,000 other Southern Baptist churches and missions worldwide to...
  • Sponsor 11,000 career missionaries to more than 1,100 people groups around the world

  • Operate hundreds of hospitals, crisis care centers, orphanages, soup kitchens and shelters

  • Provide for hundreds of SBC-run colleges, seminaries, and Bible-translating centers

  • And annually send out more than 18,000 trained volunteers who assist in Disaster Relief ministries across the nation and the world.

• As a cooperating church with all other Southern Baptists in Arizona we help in supporting the financing of new church plants and staff members across the state as well as helping fund many other ministries, including camps, leadership training, the Arizona campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and assisting the homeless and needy.

• As a member of Estrella Baptist Association, Sunrise Mountain and a group of some 40+ Southern Baptist churches and missions in the west valley have linked themselves together to be able to minister effectively to folks around the west valley.

• Sunrise Mountain is the sponsoring church for "The Way" Fellowship Church, a newly-planted church which meets currently and the Dramagenics Theater, 8815 W. Peoria Avenue.

• We provide them with office assistance at Sunrise Mountain, and Bill Staley graciously serves as treasurer of both Sunrise Mountain and The Way Fellowship.

• Launched in September, 2007, Scott Gourley serves as church planter / pastor, and Brian Smith serves as worship leader.

• In addition to the tithes and offerings from those who regularly attend, The Way Fellowship receives funding assistance from the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Estrella Baptist Association, the North Phoenix Baptist Church, and Starlight Park Baptist Church.

• For several years now Sunrise Mountain has proudly sponsored an Awana club and, as such, is affiliated with Awana Clubs International. We also provide monthly financial assistance to area Awana missionaries.

• Awana is an international, nondenominational, Bible-centered youth organization providing weekday clubs and programs for 3-year olds through high schoolers.

• The name comes from the acronymn of the first letters of the phrase, "Approved Workmen Are Never Ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15).

• Awana exists "to reach children and youth with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him."

• Awana also seeks to reach parents and other family members with the gospel and train adults to minister to youth.

• John Meschberger serves as Sunrise Mountain's Awana Commander, and a wonderful group of adult volunteers serve each week in impacting the lives and families of boys and girls as a part of this wonderful ministry.

• Sunrise Mountain financially assists Set Free, a local ministry dedicated to reaching out and ministering to men facing homelessness and drug-related issues.

• Set Free provides temporary housing while teaching the men how a relationship with Jesus can set them free, and helps them learn skills they need to be a positive influence on their families and the world.