The Journey of New Journey

Members of New Journey, Mike Wilson and Mike Bartanen, collaborated to create a picture slideshow that documents significant moments in our “journey” as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

This slideshow debuted at our 10 Year Anniversary Celebration on February 17.

Thank you to Mike Wilson and Mike Bartanen for creating this meaningful montage of our journey.

New Journey’s Timeline

  • On March 16, 2021, the congregation called Pastor Elizabeth Gallen to serve as pastor of New Journey Lutheran Church.  In collaboration with the congregational leaders and the congregational council, Pastor Elizabeth is working to ensure a smooth transition for the entire New Journey community and is focused on building relationships with the congregation and broader community. The congregation continues in their commitments to food justice and building relationships with ministry partners: the Native American people of Rock Point and in Phoenix, Native American Urban Ministry, Food for Kidz, and Grace Lutheran Church’s Heat Respite program.

  • Pastor Adele Stiles Resmer was the first officially called pastor of New Journey Lutheran in June, 2015. Under Pastor Resmer’s leadership, the congregation has grown, expanded into additional storefront space which doubled the worship space. Commitments to ministry with Native American people in Rock Point and in Phoenix, food ministries of Food for Kidz and Heat Respite, and opening space for community activities and events all are hallmarks of this period of time. New Journey supports a missionary in Madagascar, and supports the ELCA’s World Hunger Program and Disaster Response Program. Pastor Adele Stiles Resmer retired from her position as pastor of New Journey Lutheran Church on January 17, 2021.

  • In May, 2012 New Journey Lutheran moved to its current location to a storefront at 16748 E. Parkview Avenue, Fountain Hills. This location has allowed the congregation to expand as it continues to grow. That fall, Pastor Bob Halsey became interim pastor. During Pastor Halsey’s tenure, New Journey gained formal status as a congregation within the ELCA.

  • In November, 2011, New Journey Lutheran relocated to the vacant Four Peaks Elementary School in Fountain Hills. Worship was then held on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. During that year, Bob Rubenow started the first of what has become an annual Food for Kidz food pack. This program involves volunteers from other churches as well as community members and is held in the Fountain Hills Community Center in March. The meals that are packed go to hungry children and families through the Extended Hands Foodbank in Fountain Hills, Grace in the City outreach in Phoenix, AZ Brainfood which serves school children in the Valley and the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. In addition meals are sent through an international organization to W. Africa.

  • In January 2010, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) members gathered for worship at The Fountains United Methodist Church in Fountains Hills with the intention of being an accepting and inclusive congregation gathered around Word and Sacrament. Worship was at 6 p.m. on Saturday nights. The Rev. Jerry Ebbinga provided leadership for this new worshipping community. In September 2010, Pastor Crystal Steinberg was appointed by the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod to serve as New Journey Lutheran’s Mission Developer.

    During this time, the congregation, now named New Journey Lutheran Church, made foundational commitments that would guide its future ministry: renting space rather than building a church building; and emphasizing social ministry and outreach as core ministries.