The Canyon is located in Oro Valley, Arizona on the northwestern edge of Tucson. The church is a member of the Venture Church Network Southwest (formerly Southwest Church Connection) which has been in existence since 1948. The church property adjoins Pusch Ridge of the Catalina Range of the Coronado National Forest and has a view overlooking Oro Valley.
The church was started as a satellite by Palo Verde Baptist Church in central Tucson on property that was given to them by the Egleston family estate. The land donation is restrictive in that the property can be used only for religious and educational purposes. Sixteen acres of the larger parcel were deeded over to The Canyon after incorporation. The remaining land became the home of a Christian high school which became Pusch Ridge Christian Academy when it transferred ownership from Palo Verde Baptist to Catalina Foothills Church.
Pastor Thereon Smith was the primary motivator for our church when he was the pastor of Palo Verde Baptist in the mid-1970’s. For about a year, a few people met in the nearby high school while the building was constructed. Many in the congregation of Palo Verde Baptist gave time, money and labor to build the church. In 1977, when the building was finished, the congregation began to grow. Pastor Smith shared his time between The Canyon and Palo Verde Baptist. About a year later, we called our first pastor, Michael Sandusky, who stayed for a year and a half. There were a number of interim pastors who ministered at The Canyon until they called the next permanent pastor.
Easter, 1983, Pastor J. Daniel O’Donnell and his wife, Jane, began their ministry with us. The church grew to between 200 and 300. Pastor O’Donnell resigned in January, 2000, to begin the work of starting a church in a Phoenix suburb.
In August 2001, Pastor Steve Van Kley was called as Senior Pastor. He received his Master of Divinity from Western Seminary, a Conservative Baptist seminary, in 1995. Prior to coming to Tucson, Pastor Steve was a youth pastor for twelve years. His family includes his wife Kim, and their children Brian and Jessica.
In the summer of 2003, the membership gave full approval to our growth plan which began to lay the foundation for the future ministry of The Canyon. In 2006, the church began Phase 1 of the building project. This included more room in the sanctuary and additional Christian Education space. In 2016, the church completed Phase 2 of the building project, with Phase 3 and 4 following in 2017. These projects included new office and lobby space, a new kitchen, a new sanctuary complex and parking lot, and a new student and children’s ministry buildings. We are excited to see how the Lord will continue to grow and expand the influence of this church for His Kingdom in the years to come!
Our Story
What We Believe
At The Canyon, we are fully committed to the truth of God’s Word. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word to the World, and the greatest expression of love is to share the message and truth of God’s Word to the World. Doctrine is not something we shy away from, but we embrace Biblical doctrine and do our best to not only explain it, but to apply it to our everyday life. We desire to minister as Jesus did, being perfectly balanced between grace and truth (John 1:14). Doctrine is not a club to inflict harm on people, but truth that is used to help us all understand God and His work so that people will believe the Gospel message and commit their lives to serving God and others.
WE BELIEVE the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and of supreme and final authority in faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
WE BELIEVE in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man (Matthew 1:18-19; 28:19; Luke 1:26-38; John 10:30, 37-38)
WE BELIEVE that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature (Genesis 1:17; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus died for our sins according to the Scripture, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood (1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 2:9, 17; Romans 5:1)
WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15)
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need of Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily (John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)
WE BELIEVE in “that blessed hope,” the personal premillennial return of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:1-6; Titus 2:13)
WE BELIEVE that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:1)
WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost (John 2:25; 3:16; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23)
WE BELIEVE that the church is the body of Christ that gathers together for worship, instruction, fellowship, and evangelism. The ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion and the observance of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-47)
WE BELIEVE the local church is autonomous and self-governing, not subject to any other church or governmental agencies or authorities (Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:18)
Missions
Missions is a strong focus here at The Canyon. We believe first and foremost that it is the calling of each and every Christian to share the gospel with those whom God has given them the opportunity. As a church, we also prayerfully and financially support individuals and families who have been called further into the ministry of spreading the gospel as full time missionaries.
Currently we have the opportunity every month to support 22 missionaries from 15 different organizations, serving in 12 different countries around the world. We are also actively involved with local outreach organizations such the Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson, Operation Eternal Freedom, Senior Veterans Ministry, and 4 Tucson. Our students are also given opportunities to serve locally and on short missions trips within the USA and abroad.
Location and Hours:
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
9200 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85704
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