Indianapolis, IN — Saguaro Christian Church, a vibrant and inclusive congregation in Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded the inaugural Movement Initiator Award by New Church Ministry for being the top Pentecost Offering giver over the past two years.
Saguaro CC members install a pollinator garden and bury a time capsule to celebrate the creative music director’s 30 years of service. A beautiful day of cultivating, creating, playing, and giving thanks to God, living into prayers as those who came before and pausing to pray new ones.
This distinguished recognition honors Disciples congregations that exemplify a deep commitment to living out what it means to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world and supporting the mission and ministry of New Church Ministry and Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF).
“We are deeply grateful to Saguaro Christian Church for their extraordinary generosity and vision,” said John Powell, interim president and CEO of DCEF. “Their leadership in giving is a powerful testament to unity and being a movement for wholeness.”
Founded in 1961, Saguaro Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has long been a spiritual home rooted in compassion, creativity, and justice. Known for its radically inclusive welcome, intergenerational ministry, and spirit-filled worship, the church is a beacon of hope and hospitality. Its mission is to be intentionally sacred, missional, and inclusive, living out God’s vision for a world where all are embraced and empowered.
“We are honored to receive this inaugural award. And even as we do, we trust that God is still working in all of the cracks and broken spaces throughout our whole church to reveal a light that has always been there, but needed cultivation,” said Senior Minister Rev. Kelley Dick. “Pentecost. It’s not earned. It’s cultivated. And it’s resilient. It blooms in borderlands and hospital rooms and congregations trying to grow something sacred in the middle of dry seasons. That is Pentecost. Because when the world is fueled by division, burnout, cynicism, and cruelty—to imagine joy is a rebellion. To be shaped by God is a revolution.”
The Pentecost Offering supports the establishment and nurturing of new Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) communities across the United States and Canada through the work of New Church Ministry and the Regions.
The award will be formally presented on Saturday, July 12 at General Assembly 2025 in Memphis, TN at DCEF’s Beyond the Walls dinner.
DCEF is home to New Church Ministry, a vital initiative that equips, empowers, and encourages leaders to start and sustain new faith communities. DCEF provides ministry and financial planning services to help Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations, regions, and ministries transform and thrive. To learn more and support this ministry, visit disciplescef.org.
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