We Are
Desert Hills Community Church
We are a church in the the Desert Hills area of Phoenix, Arizona
that follows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
and joins Him in the work He is doing in our world today.
We care for the well being of others while walking in love for one another
as we grow together in Christ and community.
WE
LOVE
CHILDREN
Our weekly programs, both Sundays & Wednesdays,
are filled with high impact worship, creativity and fun Bible learning!
One visit and your kid(s) will never want to miss!
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that your understanding of God's character and nature shapes the whole of your theological beliefs. Our understanding about the character and nature of God is that “God is LOVE.” This is at the heart of all that motivates us to live in relationship with Him and each other. He loves us, and that love, when it is nurtured, overflows to everyone and everything in our world.
ESSENTIALS
We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three co-equal Persons, namely the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Romans 8; Ephesians 1:13-14
God, out of love for His children, sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, and rise from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. All have sinned, but all can be saved. This salvation is available for any who put their trust in Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord. Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16
Those trusting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized. Romans 10:9;
Acts 2:38
The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16
Christ will one day return and reign forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
When we die, we will either be separated from God by sin or united with Him eternally through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. John 3:16; John 14:1-3; Revelation 20:10,15
The Bible is the inspired word of God and is the final authority in life and doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:16
LEADERSHIP
Leadership here at DHCC is all about following Jesus.
Our board, staff and leaders focus on building deeper intimacy with God while allowing Him to shape us more and more into the person of Jesus Christ through the empowerment of His Holy Spirit!
Lead Pastor
Rev Todd Johnson
Rev Todd Johnson
Rev Todd E Johnson, a Pastor's kid born and raised in in the church in Phoenix, AZ by his loving and supportive Christian parents. Rev Todd is the second born of three siblings, an older brother, a younger sister and the youngest being another brother. Called to church ministry in 1993, Rev Todd began as a youth pastor and office manager for his father’s church. Over the years he has served as worship pastor, young adult pastor, associate pastor and has even worked ran a mid-week children program. Rev Todd has been written and produced music, screen plays and short films. In 2004 Rev Todd also had the experience of planting a new church in the Las Vegas area of Henderson, NV. Rev Todd Johnson currently serves as lead pastor at Desert Hills Community Church of the Nazarene in the North Phoenix area, which began in 2010, after having pastored two churches on the Southwest Oklahoma District.
Children's
Pastor Tawnya was born in Redding, California and resided in Washington state as well as Alaska, before settling in Arizona. Tawnya, a born-again Christian, started attending Desert Hills Community Church in 2003 with her two daughters, Sierra and Raechelle. She began volunteering in children’s ministry in 2004 and was called to facilitate children’s ministry in 2008. She later co-labored in restarting the youth group at DHCC in 2010. In 2012, Tawnya married Pastor Todd Johnson. Pastor Tawnya is currently our children’s pastor and has been since 2008. She holds a district license and is continuing ministerial studies to become an ordained pastor of the Church of Nazarene. Her passion is to know the love of Jesus more intimately and to show others of this love. Pastor Tawnya strives to give theologically sound biblical application to those placed under her teachings and care.
Pastor Tawnya Johnson
Associate
Pastor Fred Graves originally born in Grand rapids Michigan, lived in California as a youth but spent most of my adult life in Fort Smith Arkansas where he raised his son Brandon. Pastor Fred is the third oldest of 7 siblings, all living across the country. He is currently married to his best friend and wife Kacy, who has stood beside him through thick and thin. After a rough first half of his life, Pastor Fred answered the call from God to preach His Word; walk with, encourage and help enable His children to further recognize and respond to what God is revealing about himself through His alive and active word. In 2017 he enrolled at GCU to furtherhis calling as a Pastor. Fred has led Bible studies at halfway houses, private homes and is currently lead a discipleship class on Wednesday nights at DHCC where he serves as the associate Pastor.
Pastor Fred Graves
Youth
Pastor Kristen moved from Upstate NY in 2001 but later graduated high school and finished he Associate's degree while here in Phoenix, AZ. She works full-time as a Physical Therapist Assistant, while raising a daughter with her husband John. Kristen has had many life experiences that the Lord brought her through, one in particular that lead her calling. Little did she know that God was orchestrating her footsteps to pastor teens. Pastor Kristen has a big heart. She always strives to create a safe place for teens to have fun, create relationships and meet with Jesus. In 2010, Pastor Kristen began serving in youth ministry until 2014, when she became the official Youth Pastor at DHCC, serving with a local license. Pastor Kristen received her district license in July of 2019 and continues in her studies and requirements towards ordination.
Pastor Kristen Slaton
Young Adult
Pastor Joell Menefee was called to ministry in 2008 and began a junior high ministry at Citrus Road Community Church. Pastor Joell also serves in a district wide youth choir that ministers all over Arizona and some parts of Nevada. Pastor Joell has served in youth ministry since 2011 and currently serves as the Young Adult Pastor at Desert Hills Community Church. Upon her completion of a Master's Degree from GCU in counseling, Pastor Joell also ministers throughout the week as a professional counselor. Pastor Joell is passionate about creating a loving and safe place for individuals, especially young adults, and to help them discover their call, grow in their faith and mature as followers of Christ.