God's grace in a season of change

We are overjoyed to share that Catalina Foothills Church named Rob Pendley as Lead Pastor in a congregational vote on September 7, 2025. We give thanks to God for His faithfulness in leading us to this moment and for providing a shepherd to guide and care for His people here at CFC.

A Letter from Pastor Rob

Catalina Foothills Church Family,

Thank you for calling me to be our next Lead Pastor. I remember one Sunday a few months ago when I was compelled to invite people to get on their knees and pray for our next Lead Pastor. The reality that I was praying for myself was nowhere in my mind. But God is faithful, and His timing is impeccable. As the hymn says:

“Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
God treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.”

CFC’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) has set Monday, October 6, 2025 as the transition day when I will move into new office space and begin handing off certain responsibilities. These duties will be resumed once we call our next Assistant Pastor. You’ll hear more about this search at a Town Hall in October, where we’ll also share our “First Six Months” goals in greater detail. In addition, we are finalizing dates for upcoming Prayer Meetings, both in person and online, and will share those soon.

I want to publicly thank:

The team that worked hard prior to and on September 7th to prepare for and carry out the Congregational Meeting—from staff planning and meeting with Presbytery, to the deacons administering the voting process, and the elders leading the meeting with shepherds’ hearts.

The Search Team, led by Tod Newman—you were an inspiration as you prayerfully, thoughtfully, and discerningly followed the process, trusted God, and served your church family: David Carnahan, Lorena Garcia, Jim Jones, Jane Phillips, Mary Beth Schannep, Andrew Quinn, and our alternates Marion Black, Elaine Brumme, Beau Eslinger, and Jake Welchans.

The Senior Leadership Team—Byron Johns, John Miller, and Chad Turner—for the trust you’ve put in me, your care for this church and city, and your willingness to help me see my blind spots.

My fellow Elders, for your growing desire to personally care for and shepherd God’s people.

And Kim, for trusting that our Father knows best and for your heart for Jesus.

This is my prayer for Catalina Foothills Church:

“That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
— Adapted from Philippians 1:9–11

“I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.”
— Adapted from Philippians 1:25–26

Grace and peace,
Rob Pendley