In Focus: Desert View Baptist Church

Questions and answers with Desert View Baptist Church Pastor Ron Carter:

Question: How long has Desert View Baptist Church been active in Green Valley?

Answer: Desert View Baptist Church was established in 1979. Through more than 28 years of ministry to the communities of Green Valley and Sahuarita, we have remained true to the word of God, Jesus Christ, and to mission work around the world.

Q: How long have you been leader of this congregation?

A: I was called to be pastor of Desert View in 1996, along with my wife Jean and our family.

Q: Historically, how far back does your religion begin?

A: The short answer is since the Resurrection and ascension of Christ. God has given us a ministry focused upon His Word and a challenge to live out His Word through our lives. Our motto is “Majoring in Bible.”

Q: Where are you from originally and where did you take your training?

A: I was born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma. My training came from the Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo. I did post-graduate work through Andersonville Baptist Seminary in Camellia, Ga.

Q: Does Desert View Church attendance fluctuate a good deal with the arrival and departure of our seasonal guests?

A: We used to see that, but in the past couple of years our attendance has stayed fairly consistent through the year.

Q: Does Desert View have any outreach programs for the community?

A: We all participate in one of several ministries. We have an Adult Ministry that is taught by me, with the emphasis on “Soul Winning.”

We have a Youth Ministry, which features Sunday School for children from preschool through high school. Our teachers focus on studying the Bible and learning more about our Saviour. We also have a Music Ministry that focuses on conservative arrangements of Christian music that will magnify the message of the Word.

Additionally, we have programs for Moms with Pre-school Children and a Widow’s Ministry. We are actively involved in reaching out to the ends of the world with the Gospel of Christ.

We are presently supporting 13 missionary families, most of whom minister through New Tribe Missions.

Q: Does your Sunday worship service follow a certain pattern?

A: Yes, the Service begins with prayer by me and the congregation sings several songs. I lead the youth in a special message just for them. (The youth are seated down front.) There are announcements and prayer from members of the congregation — these are given from the heart.

My sermon follows and the closing of the service with an invitation to come to the altar and pray and make decisions before God and give help where needed. The closing prayer comes from a member, personally, and from the heart. The worship service is also signed for the deaf and we have a special Ministry for the Deaf.

Q: Do lay people take an active part in your service?

A: Yes. There is more participation in our Bible study times before the morning service. It is more relaxed. Study sheets of the lesson are passed and filled out. Many are given Scripture verses to find and read. Questions are answered.

Q: How do you reach out for new members?

A: Other than running our regular ad in the Friday section of the GV News and the Yellow Pages, plus an easy to search website, we don’t do any real marketing, per se. But I will tell you this, that if each member of our congregation brings only one new member into our church, the membership will double in a year’s time.

Q: Is there a particular event the church does specifically for Green Valley?

A: We have seasonal events. Evangelistic meetings, free Gospel concerts and, counseling, if needed. We have a specific Widow’s Conference, lead by Shirley Grant, that meets once a month.

Q: Does Desert View Baptist relate to the issues of the older demographics of Green Valley?

A: We enjoy every age throughout our membership. We have teachings on “what to do with the rest of your life,” and “how to be stewards of aging.’ Remember we have even a nursery for the little ones!

Q: What’s on your night stand?

A: Two phones, an alarm clock (set at 5 a.m.), note pad and pen. I am ready to answer and ready to follow.

The details

What: Desert View Baptist Church

Where: 17610 S. La Canada Drive between Sahurarita Road and Duval Mine Rd.

Phone: 625-6114

Web site: www.desertviewbaptist.org

Editor’s note

The Green Valley News continues a series of articles on churches in our area.

We have sent letters to religious leaders and included a series of questions that will be the same for each interview. These interviews will feature historical growth, highlights of the season, mission/outreach programs, member fellowship and information about the history of their religion.

A Green Valley freelance writer, Mary Ann Linforth, will conduct these interviews. The stories will appear on the Religion pages on Fridays, twice per month.

We are fortunate to have such a diversity of faiths in Green Valley and hope that as a reader, you will come away with a better understanding of their histories and beliefs.

James Bennett, Editor