The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

History

The East Valley Assembly of God (also known as the Tempe First Assembly of God) is one of the older Assemblies of God organizations in the Valley. The church was founded Pastors Cox and Eaton in the early 1960s and has grown to match the expanding suburbs and increased population of the Phoenix area East Valley. It is now at its third location, and plans to move soon to a new location in the small community of Guadalupe.

Activities and Schedule

Sunday services (consisting of praise, worship and a sermon) last for 90 minutes and begin at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. They also take place on Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. Spanish-language services are also held on-site but in a different building. The church sponsors a number of extra activities, such as parenting classes and "Singles Fellowship," meant to serve the community. A "Bible-Based" version of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts (called the Royal Rangers and Missionettes respectively) is also available.

The church makes an outreach effort to bus in the homeless and needy in Tempe and Guadalupe for a Sunday breakfast before the 11 a.m. service.

Demographics

Primarily Anglo-American in the beginning, the church has shifted in the last decade to include more Spanish-speaking members, including Spanish-speaking Yaquis in nearby Guadalupe. It is anticipated that the impending move to Guadalupe will increase this trend.

Description

The current church building designed as a church facility when it was built. It centers around a prayer hall and sanctuary, and the site includes several classrooms, a nursery, and a smaller assembly room with a stage. Current plans are to convert the buildings into a school when the church moves out.