Pastor Roger and Sue Pierce
David Stanard
Mid-September marks three years since Resurrection Church held its first service in SaddleBrooke. The slightly over 100 attendees that first Sunday has now grown to right at 250 during the peak SaddleBrooke season, and the church long ago moved from one service year-round to two services November through April and one service May through October.
Resurrection Church offers inclusive, all-denominational services and a balanced spiritual and social message. The services last no more than an hour, and Communion is open to everyone, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. In addition, when one of the team of six pastors who serves the church on a rotating basis takes off his watch and places it on the pulpit before he preaches, it actually means something. Sermons are well-crafted and usually last around 20 minutes.
Pastor Pierce was added to the pastoral team several months into the life of the church. Roger was no stranger, as many early members of Resurrection Church had once been members of the SaddleBrooke Community Church. He served there from 2004 to 2011. Roger was much loved and well respected as he served briefly as an associate pastor but then for six years as the lead pastor.
Born and raised in Texas, Roger met his wife-to-be Sue when they attended the same high school in Dallas. Two years after graduation, Roger and Sue married while he was a student at Southern Methodist University. This year, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
After completing his degree at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and serving as a pastor in Dallas, Roger entered the U.S. Navy. He retired with the rank of Commander in 1992 after 20 years of service. During those years, Roger served on-board a number of ships and saw much of the world, while Sue stayed home and raised their children. Those children, a girl and two boys, are now grown and have added five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren to the family.
Leaving the Navy did not mean retirement from the ministry. First, there was a four-year assignment as pastor of Central Christian Church in Killeen, Texas. Then, another four years were spent at the national offices of the Disciples of Christ Church in Indianapolis. In 2000, Sue and Roger came to Arizona. They had fallen in love with the desert when Roger had been stationed in Yuma and had a desire to be near their daughter in Oro Valley.
Roger has always maintained an active lifestyle and, to this day, is an avid bicyclist. In addition, both he and Sue have been community volunteers, serving where they can best help those who are less fortunate.
Resurrection Church at SaddleBrooke holds its traditional all-denominational Sunday worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the Vermilion Room of the HOA#1 Clubhouse. Starting the first Sunday in November and continuing through April, there will be services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. All are welcome.