A Lutheran Home on East Bell Road
La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church sits on East Bell Road in northeast Scottsdale, Arizona, a Lutheran congregation of many backgrounds drawn together around a single sentence: "Loving those who don't know Jesus and growing those who do." Since 1975, the church has gathered on its 6300 E Bell Road campus, a multi-building site that includes a tall Sanctuary on the east side and a large Gathering Place near the southwest corner. Visitors arriving for the first time find a church that takes its Lutheran identity seriously but frames it in everyday language, welcoming people "with no spiritual background at all" alongside lifelong Lutherans.
Two Spaces, Four Services
Worship at La Casa de Cristo happens in two distinct spaces and four scheduled services every weekend. Traditional services use the Sanctuary, the tall building on the east side of campus entered through the courtyard: Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 8 am and 9:15 am. The 10:30 am Sunday Contemporary service meets in the Gathering Place, a large building near the southwest corner that is accessed directly from the main parking lot and marked by a sign above its doors.
Each Traditional service follows a liturgy that uses responses drawn from Scripture and the earliest worship services of the Church. The order includes a Prelude, Gathering Hymn, Confession and Forgiveness, Kyrie and Hymn of Praise, Creed, Kids' Time, Sharing of the Peace, Word of God, Hymn of the Day, Sermon, Offering, Communion on the first and third weekends of the month, Prayers, the Lord's Prayer, and a Sending Hymn with Postlude. The Contemporary service has a different shape: an Announcement Video, Opening Songs, Kids' Time, Sharing of the Peace, a Song, Word of God, Sermon, Offering Song, Prayers, and a Closing Song.
Communion is open. Anyone who has accepted Christ as Savior is welcome at the table, regardless of church or denomination, and visitors do not need to be members to receive. Services are free and open to the community, with no expectation that first-time guests give an offering.
A Theology of Grace
The church describes its beliefs plainly. God is the creator of the universe, intimately involved with creation and known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible is foundational to the Christian faith and the standard by which Lutherans evaluate all doctrine. Sin describes the human condition, alienated from God and unable to repair the break, and forgiveness comes as a free gift, what Lutheranism calls grace, that Christians receive by trusting God.
Lutherans accept two sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion. In Baptism, God makes the baptized person a member of his family and bestows the gift of the Holy Spirit; La Casa baptizes all ages, infant to adult, and most often by pouring water on the head. In Holy Communion, in the tangible forms of bread and wine, Jesus' real presence is there to offer forgiveness and renewed strength.
Christian life, the church teaches, is not a list of dos and don'ts but a response to God's love, lived out in families, on the job, in service to others, and in prayer. Christian life does not end with death; God gives the gift of everlasting life. Worship, the church says, is "worth-ship," acknowledging God's worthiness to receive love and praise.
Mission and the Next Steps Appeal
The mission statement, "Loving those who don't know Jesus and growing those who do," frames everything from preaching to programming. A three-year financial appeal, the Next Steps Appeal, runs from 2026 through 2028 with a goal of raising $5 million beyond annual operating budgets. Rooted in the same mission, the appeal is meant to keep La Casa de Cristo nimble and relevant for the future while remaining steadfast in its grounding in God's Word.
The Pastoral Team
La Casa de Cristo is served by a pastoral team that includes ordained pastors and lay ministry leaders. Pastor Jeff Ruby has been the Lead Pastor since 2006. Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Arizona from age five, he holds a B.A. in Political Science from California Lutheran University and a Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Seminary. He has served as a pastor-developer and lead pastor at three congregations across the United States. As lead pastor, he carries the spiritual and administrative oversight of the congregation and staff and is committed to leading the community "with the skeptics, strugglers, and doubters."
Pastor Matthew Knopf is the Executive Pastor of Innovation. Raised in Tempe, he graduated from Arizona State University in Theater Arts and earned a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. After seminary he served as a missionary pastor in Atlacomulco, Mexico, then parish pastorates in Indiana and Nebraska, where he also taught Christianity and Biblical Archaeology at Midland University. He continues to teach at Arizona State University's Osher Institute and at Huntington University in Peoria.
Pastor Joel Bjerkestrand serves as Visitation Pastor. Born of missionary parents in India and raised in Illinois, he is a graduate of Augsburg College and Luther Theological Seminary. After 32 years of full-time ministry and retirement, he joined La Casa in 2011 to visit shut-ins and those hospitalized, teaches Sunday morning adult education classes, preaches occasionally, and through his On the Way Ministry officiates weddings and funerals for those without a church home.
Pastor John Geske is the Assistant Visitation Pastor, with 32 years of pastoral experience as an associate and lead pastor and a passion for helping people hear the voice of God. Chaplain Don Burgess, who serves in Pastoral Care, retired from the Scottsdale Police Department in 2003 after a 28-year law enforcement career. He holds an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and approval as a Minister of Word and Service from Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg. He has served Hospice of the Valley for 18 years and co-facilitates the Support After Loss grief group with Parish Nurse Jean Knowling.
Music Across the Campus
Music is a major part of life at La Casa de Cristo, and the program includes both traditional and contemporary ensembles. The Sanctuary Choir, the Praise Team that leads the contemporary service each week, the Carillon de Cristo Bell Choir, the Children's Choir, and a Youth Bells ensemble give musicians of every age a place to serve. Dr. Jeremy Peterman serves as Organist and Handbell Director, playing the Berghaus Organ in the Sanctuary and the Harpsichord. Bill McKennon is the Contemporary Music Director, and Jennifer Song Sheldon is the Director of Music. The Praise Team includes guitarists, keyboardists, a drummer, a bassist, and vocalists, all volunteers and staff.
Children and Youth
Children's ministry is led by Staci Medina, the Director of Children's Ministry, who grew up at La Casa, was baptized, confirmed, and married there, and holds degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. La Casa Kids meets Sundays at 9:15 am and 10:30 am for ages 3 through 5th grade, with separate rooms by age. The space, Room 101 in the two-story Education Building, is bright, colorful, and built for kids, with games and activities that make the transition easy.
For infants through 3-year-olds, the Nursery is open during the 9:15 and 10:30 am services. Three rooms, one for infants, one for toddlers, and one for 2- and 3-year-olds, have age-appropriate toys, and toys are cleaned and linens washed after each use. Kate Fegan directs the Nursery Ministry.
Confirmation classes are held Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 pm for 7th and 8th graders, covering the Life of Jesus, the Story of Israel, the Lord's Prayer and Apostles' Creed, and "Hot Topics." Middle School students meet at 9:15 am in Room 201 and High School students in Room 205 at 9:15 am for youth worship, teaching, and small groups. Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 pm are reserved for gender-specific Guys and Girls Nights. Suzan Scudder is the Youth Director and Christopher Roberts the Youth Leader. Summer brings Gym Jams on Tuesdays from noon to 2:00 pm, Girl and Guy Time on Tuesday afternoons, Pool Parties on Wednesday evenings throughout June and July, and a Friday High School Co-Ed gathering, along with a Summer Camp for 6th through 8th graders and a Summer Trip for 9th through 12th graders.
Adult Education for Every Question
Nancy Berry directs Adult Education at La Casa de Cristo, supporting a rotating roster of volunteer teachers. Current classes include Foundation of Freedom (Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 pm), The Chosen with Pastor Jeff Ruby (Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm), Faith Journeys of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with Rev. Dr. Wayne Wilke (Thursdays, 10:00-11:00 am), Heaven and Hell with Pastor Carol Peters (Sundays, 10:30-11:30 am), Bible Basics (Sundays, 9:15-10:15 am), Christian Faith and AI: Challenges and Hope with Pastor Jeff Ruby (Thursdays in November), and Five Parables of Jesus (Thursdays, January through February).
The class archive shows the breadth of topics taught over the years: Romans, Galatians, the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of John, the Psalms, the Epistles of Peter and John, the Book of Acts, Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi, Daniel, Parables of Jesus, Martin Luther as "Obedient Rebel," What Lutherans Believe, Islam 101, Church and State, Israel and the Church, Hearing GOD, Justice Mercy and Humility, and Faith in Daily Life.
Care That Goes Beyond Sunday
Parish Nurse Jean Knowling, R.N., leads the Health Ministry at La Casa, combining nursing practice and health ministry within the faith community. Her office hours on campus run Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and on Sunday mornings. She provides education on health management, counseling on integrating faith and healing, referrals to specialists, advocacy, recommendations for physical and spiritual wellness, home visits, follow-up calls, and a medical equipment loan closet for members.
A wide range of support groups meet on campus: Al-Anon meets every Thursday evening; a women's Alcoholics Anonymous group meets Tuesday and Friday mornings; Naomi's Daughters, a widows' group, meets the third Thursday of each month; the Ostomy Support Group meets the third Thursday afternoon; Heart to Heart is for adults grieving the loss of a loved one; Support After Loss meets the second Monday evening; ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) meet for breakfast on Fridays; and Stephen Ministry provides confidential one-on-one Christ-centered care from trained laypeople.
Weddings and Memorials in the Sanctuary
The Sanctuary at La Casa seats up to 1,200 while still maintaining intimacy for small services of 15 guests, and La Casa de Cristo is an alcohol-free campus. Couples fill out a Wedding Request form to begin the process and contact Myla Clark at 480-948-1234 for fees and information. The Fellowship Hall is available for receptions of up to 200 guests, for church members and based on availability. Wedding music is offered from a suggested list that ranges from Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn to Pachelbel's "Canon in D," and selections can be played on either the organ or piano.
The Memorial Garden on campus provides a place of remembrance for those who have passed, and the Memorial Services team walks alongside families through planning, including pre-planning wishes. The page quotes Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Serving Beyond the Campus
A large portion of La Casa de Cristo's identity is local and global outreach. Feed My Starving Children hosts an annual Mobile Pack event at the church where volunteers hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a vitamin blend for distribution to malnourished children; a recent event packed over 140,000 meals, and the church has cumulatively contributed over 240,000 dollars to feed more than 800,000 children through the program. Food from the Heart is a group of volunteers who meet one Saturday each month to prepare and deliver meals to congregation members in need of extra care. The Paradise Valley Food Bank collects monthly staples at the church office.
Other mission efforts include Mexico missions, including the Pen-Pal Ministry to students at Mazahua Valley Ministries, Bridge to Hope, St Vincent de Paul, Palomino / Campo Bello, and ongoing support for a missionary family in Southeast Asia, where Todd and Katie and their four children run a water filtration business and nurture a community of believers.
Royal Family Kids' Camp is a one-week summer camp for foster children ages 7 through 11 who have survived abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Mentor Club continues that work during the school year, meeting one Saturday a month from September through May to provide Bible-based activities for the same kids. Angel Tree serves children of incarcerated parents during the Christmas season.
Women, Men, and Groups for Every Season
Women's Ministry is led by Paula Webb, Director of Women's Ministry. The Fall Bible Study meets Tuesdays either 9:30-11:30 am or 6:00-8:00 pm, with free childcare for nursery and kids ages 4-12 with advanced registration. MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) meets Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings; Grandmoms gathers as well. Women's Groups meet at various times during the week and month and include the Christian Fiction Book Club (third Wednesday morning), Knifty Knitters (second and fourth Wednesday afternoon), Lit 'n Lattes Book Club (third Thursday afternoon), Peace by Piece Quilting (second and fourth Saturday morning), and Soul Food (second Monday at noon). Christmas Table is a festive luncheon in late November or early December.
Men's Ministry includes the Friday Morning Connection Group at Perk Eatery on East Greenway Parkway, a Men's Galatians Bible Study that works through Luther's commentary, and Men's Life Bible Study on Thursday afternoons. The Singles ministry hosts a Singles Mixer, Cars and Christ, and Ballroom Basics. Veterans gather monthly for the Vets Breakfast. Stepping Stones, a ministry for children with special needs, has its own space within the church.
Giving, Streaming, and Staying Connected
Worship services are streamed live on Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 8 am, 9:15 am, and 10:30 am, and are also available on YouTube, Facebook, a Roku channel, and a Fire TV app. The La Casa Sermoncast carries weekly sermons on major podcast platforms. The Cristo Connection newsletter archives back several years, and a weekly e-News keeps the congregation informed. The La Casa App, available in the Apple App Store and Amazon Appstore, ties everything together.
Giving is offered in plates during worship, online, by text to 480-660-2623, by mail to the church office, and through Fry's Community Rewards, where shoppers can enroll La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church as their community rewards recipient. Altar flowers can be dedicated in honor of loved ones, and memorial contributions can be made in memory of those who have passed.
La Casa Preschool operates on the same campus under its own director, with information at lacasapreschool.com. The careers page notes that the church has been operating since 1975 and frames working at La Casa as "a calling, a ministry, a way of life."
That is La Casa de Cristo: a Lutheran congregation on East Bell Road that has spent fifty years investing in the people of northeast Scottsdale and beyond, from Mobile Pack meals and foster kids' camp to bell choirs and theological book studies, asking each one who walks through the doors to hear the same invitation: "You are welcome here."