Rev. Erin Wathen

Rev. Erin Wathen received her bachelor's degree from Transylvania University and her Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. Pastor Erin has served Foothills Christian Church since 2006. Her husband, Jeremy, plays drums in the Foothills worship band, and he and Erin both love music, travel (especially to National Parks), good food, and spending time with their two young children. In 2010, Pastor Erin received the Fred Craddock Award for Excellence in Preaching. She is a published author, and a popular speaker and blogger.

Dale Lamphear

Dale Lamphear is our talented Director of Music. He leads the praise band, and also directs our 4-part chancel choir. Dale worked for the City of Phoenix for 25 years, and has been a professional musician and music teacher in the valley for even longer than that. He enjoys astronomy, photography, art, camping, a good cup of coffee with friends, and spending time with his wife and grown daughters.

Susan Chappell

Susan Chappell is our administrative assistant. She is also fairly new to Foothills’ staff, but keeps our office running and ministry moving like a pro! If you call the church or come by to visit during office hours, Susan will be the one to greet you. She and her husband, Mark, have two sons.

Sandi Fettis

Sandi Fettis is our caregiver in the nursery. She has raised many of our youth and young adults since they were babies, and offers professional, compassionate care for our young children during worship each week.

To learn more about our denomination, visit www.disciples.org.

To learn more about Foothills Christian Church, Come and meet us!

The Side Door

Where I come from (southeastern Kentucky) , there are 2 kinds of guests—the kind that come to the front door and ring the bell, and the kind that go around to the side door (or the kitchen, or the back porch) and just come on in. These folks will help themselves to coffee if you've stepped out for a minute, and might even do your breakfast dishes. These are the people who show up with food in times of tragedy, gifts in times of celebration, and just plain old company on the less extraordinary days between. They come over to watch the Super Bowl; they spoil your children; they make themselves at home.

Here at Foothills, we want our neighbors to be "side door" neighbors; we want you to feel welcome and at ease here, whatever your background, faith story, or family make-up. Right before Christmas we put a sign out front saying that we are an "open and affirming" congregation. Since then, more and more people are making themselves at home here, coming to see what a place of hospitality and inclusion looks like in worship and service.

For years, we've grown in small increments, wondering what else was needed to open the door. Then we put that sign out, and WOW! What an invitation. The response has been overwhelming. Combining our new Saturday service with our Sunday morning crowd, our weekly attendance has increased nearly 50% in less than 2 months' time.

Most church development folks will tell you that kind of growth is not sustainable. That when you get that many new people at once, you don't have the staff, facilities, and programs to connect with people. The thing is, we have been planning for this transformation for a long time. And now we are ready to open doors for those who come seeking.

I invite you to peruse our website. Check out our mission, our vision, our people and our ministries. If you like what you see, but don't find the group or program you're looking for, consider coming to help us build it. We are growing fast, adding new staff this spring, and basically ready to go wherever the Spirit leads us next.

Already some of our newest people are training to lead Children's Worship; playing in the praise band; helping us build the new Saturday worship experience; taking part in men's and women's ministries; and asking how they can do more. This is a church that values your unique gifts and experiences. There are people here to show you all the right doors, whether you are looking for the nursery, the coffee pot, or some work that needs doing. We are all here for the glory of God, and are ready to welcome you in Spirit, Service and Community.

Blessings,
Pastor Erin