An Oasis in the Desert

By Robb Brunansky

Published October 27, 2025

Every Sunday, I encounter individuals who have come to Desert Hills seeking hope, truth, and transformation through an encounter with the risen Christ. They are eager for the Word of God and are weary pilgrims, thirsting for living water. Time and again, people have referred to Desert Hills as a spiritual oasis in the desert.

This is an apt illustration of our aspirations. Not only do we reside in a geographical desert in the Phoenix area, but we also live in a spiritual desert. Desert Hills strives to be relentlessly biblical in every aspect of our lives as the new covenant people of God. We aim to be a sanctuary where the weary can be rejuvenated, where those hungry for the truth of the Word can find nourishment, and where those thirsting after God like a deer panting for water can be satisfied. We desire to be a place where sinners hear the good news of the gospel and are rescued from eternal destruction, where they are then transformed into mature disciples, and where they use their gifts to be employed by God to extend His kingdom.

Over the past three years since our move to our new campus, God has graciously continued to grow Desert Hills significantly. Our Sunday morning services are at 90% capacity, our children’s ministry is at full capacity, and our student and young adult ministries fill every seat (and often require additional seating). We are also out of space for Bible studies, men’s and women’s events, and other gatherings on our campus.

One reason we bought our current property in 2022 was that it was spacious enough to allow us to expand without relocating. We believe it’s time to start that expansion project. With strong growth in attendance and giving, and the current and future need for more space, we’re ready to seek the Lord’s provision to implement our site plan. The site plan will enable us to accommodate more people, so others can experience the same refreshment, encouragement, and conviction we find during our regular worship, Bible study, service, and fellowship gatherings.

When we moved to our new campus, we made sure fundraising wasn’t the sole focus of our church life. We didn’t have a fundraising thermometer, hired no consultants or financial firms, and trusted the Lord to provide our needs without burdening our congregation with debt. Our commitment to the site plan remains the same: to prioritize Christ and His Word, and to trust the Lord to provide through the generous giving of His people, ensuring that He receives all the glory throughout this endeavor until its completion. We remain steadfast in our primary purpose as a church, to be the pillar and support of the truth for the glory of God.

We’re calling our site plan implementation Oasis in the Desert to reflect our desire to be a place where our community can come to deeply drink from the living water Jesus offers through His Word and the Spirit. This ambitious project will take years to complete, but we trust that the Lord will guide and provide for us as we seek to honor Him by remaining relentlessly biblical in our pursuit of loving God, serving one another, and reaching the world. Please join us in this endeavor as the Lord continues His miraculous and marvelous work of building His church at DHBC.