Faith

Pastor Troy Schmidt of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Tempe keeps a hard hat on his desk.

“God did not intend that you leave your brain on the doorstep of the church.”

In an era characterized by both the contradictory elements of mega-churches and the waning influence of Christianity, South Tempe is home to a longstanding Episcopal congregation led Pastor Susan Wilmot, a native of Britain, who arrived in Tempe four years ago.

Have you heard? Young people are leaving the church in record numbers — never to return again. Or so we are being told.

Barb Lishko, the marriage preparation coordinator at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Chandler, spends her days helping couples prepare for their happily-ever-after.

Desmond Wadsworth, or “Pastor Des” as he’s known to his flock at Grace Community Church, is anything but your typical pastor.

Widely acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter Tony Melendez, who overcame significant disabilities and went on to inspire millions, will perform Monday, Jan. 30 at Seton Catholic Prep and St. Mary Church in Chandler.

As a pastor, I’m confronted with stories of trial and tribulation on a daily basis.

You know those skinny jeans at the back of your closet and Aunt Gertrude’s silver candlesticks that you haven’t polished—or used—for the last 20 years?

For Kariana Blanchard, the early childhood coordinator at Tempe’s Arizona Community Church, the topic of suicide is deeply personal.