Christ’s Greenfield Lutheran was the child of two district families: the community of Lutherans living in and around Sunland Village attending Eternal Life in Mesa, and the families connected to Epiphany in Chandler living in and around Gilbert.

These independent efforts came together in the summer of 1980 with the assignment of Vicar John Raddatz by the District Department of Missions to serve as a missionary at Large (MAL). During that year the effort became known as “Greenfield Lutheran Mission”. Five acres of Mormon Church farmland were purchased for $100,000, and dedicated as the future site of the congregation.

From that time until the fall of 1985 this fledgling fellowship would find temporary worship facilities at Greenfield Elementary, Sunland Village and, finally, Falconer Funeral Home in Gilbert. With John Raddatz’s vicarage completed, the District assigned Vicar Allen Doering to the Gilbert ministry., Under the leadership of Vicar Doering the congregation wrote its constitution and celebrated Charter Sunday on January 24, 1982. Jennifer Baker was the parish’s first confirmand and Scott Warnecke its first baptism.

At the close of Vicar Doering’s year of service, the District elected to assign a candidate from the Seminary. On July 10, 1982 Rev. Kevin Wyssmann was ordained and installed as the parish’s first pastor. That autumn work began with architect Francis Schultz of Scottsdale on what is now the sanctuary, offices, and education building. The congregation offered the community Vacation Bible School while worshipping at Falconer’s, 52 children and 15 staff participating in that first program in August of 1983.

Parish growth forced the congregation to offer two services while at the Funeral Home until September 15, 1985, when the parish relocated to its newly-completed facilities on Greenfield Road. Since that moment the congregation has continued to experience a growth pace that has caused it to be recognized in the top ten percent of growing Lutheran parishes across the nation. This growth has been the impetus for several expansion projects, the current project includes an addition to the sanctuary and new preschool building and school/preschool administrative facilities.

The parish staff has grown as well. To date there two pastors, two Directors of Christian Education, Traditional and Contemporary Music Directors, Preschool Director and two part-time secretaries, K-8 School Principal and secretary, ten elementary teachers, 20 preschool teachers and assistants, and four secretaries in the parish office. Christ’s Preschool has earned national accreditation and the respect of the community, and has enjoyed a growth pace similar to that of the parish. 

From a first year enrollment of 8 in 1985, the preschool program anticipates an enrollment approaching 300 students for the 2008-2009 school year.  From a 1987-1988 enrollment of 8, the K-8 school expects a 2008-2009 enrollment of approximately 200.

From a Charter membership of 62, the parish now ministers to nearly two thousand souls at three Sunday morning services and a Sunday evening LYF Line service--offering the only Lutheran youth service in the state--and some of the best-attended seasonal services anywhere in the Valley.

To this congregation the Lord has led an abundance of talented people who offer their gifts to the glory of God and the building up of His Body (the Church) in this place. Praise Him who has made and continues to make all these things possible!