Maricopa dream city for couple who founded church

Moving to Maricopa to start a local congregation was literally a dream come true for Pastors David and Lei-Sa Anderson.

The couple has been active in the church for many years, their most recent experience with the World Outreach and Bible Training Center headquartered in Milwaukee, where they were responsible for the education and training portion of the ministry.

Their duties changed to managing the Life Shop classes designed to meet members’ needs, whether financial, parenting skills, increasing faith and/or building their individual lives. Additionally, Lei-Sa worked with the children’s ministry. Both had a strong commitment to their church as well as deep roots in the Midwest, having lived there most of their lives.

Neither of them had a clue they would end up in the Southwest. Then something happened.

In January 2011, David dreamed he should move and bring his church to Maricopa. Although he said nothing to his wife, two months later she had a similar dream. When she told him about it, they decided the Holy Spirit was sending them the same message.

So, in October when a job with General Electric Healthcare, where David works as a manufacturing leader, opened in the Valley, he and Lei-Sa and their children, A’Shayla, 9, Ri’Kayla, 16, along with their married daughter, Mych’laya and her husband, Kenneth “Kenny” Goudy Jr. packed their bags and headed west. Maricopa was not totally unknown to them; their eldest daughter, Ashley lives here and they had visited.

By January, they had laid the groundwork for the church through meetings with people and were ready to open the doors for services. Starting with eight members, the congregation has grown to 35.

“We have a love, call and desire to do this kind of work,” David said. “We want to build strong families so that we build a strong church and building a strong church builds a strong community. We believe our work is essential to equip people with the information they need to lead fulfilling lives and reap the benefits of eternal life.”

Their plans for expansion will get some help from members Leonard Pond, a business start-up consultant, their son-in-law Kenny and a founding member.

Kenny said membership brings him “a sense of peace, fulfillment, joy and release from the stress of everyday life,” feelings he wants to share with others. His wife Mych’laya, whose profession is licensing foster homes, adds church membership gives her ways “to align her actions with God’s intent.”

“Action” is an integral part of the World Outreach and Bible Training Center, particularly when it comes to community involvement. The congregation participates not only in local charitable events but also, through its parent organization, in national and world service.