Our History
Believing in God’s Word and Spirit
In early 1990, Bellevue Heights Church (Sun City) had a vision of beginning a new church in Sun City
West.
West.
By early 1993, a Core Fellowship had been formed; with Dr. Bill and Janice Kearns called to be our
church “planters”.
church “planters”.
The name, “Palm West Community Church”, was chosen. “Palm”, because of its abundance in the
area and its symbolism in the Bible. “West” designated our location and “community of service”.
Attendance exceeded 100 by the spring of 1994 and a church building council was selected in the fall.
In just seven months, Palm West went from its first worship service to becoming a reality.
Church membership had grown to over 180 and attendance had exceeded 200 when the initial
building phase was completed. By 2003, membership exceeded 350.
In 1997, Dr. Dave Gallagher, along with his wife Mary Ann, was called as our first full-time pastor.
Due to its caring reputation throughout the local community, Palm West Community Church (PWCC)
came to be known as the “People Who Care Church”.
In 2006, the church transitioned from “American Baptist Churches” to “Transformation Ministries”.
Click on link: https://www.tmchurches.org for further information.
In 2009, Pastor Bruce Schipul, and his wife Christy, began their ten-year ministry at Palm West. The
church continued to grow under his leadership.
In 2019, Pastor Jim Powell, and wife Stephanie, joined our church as Senior Pastor. His particular
leadership provides strong emphasis toward enhancing our role as a caring church and reaching
additional people for Christ.
As a non-denominational church with people of varied backgrounds, we strive to fulfill our mission to
“Glorify God by connecting people to Jesus and one another.”
area and its symbolism in the Bible. “West” designated our location and “community of service”.
Attendance exceeded 100 by the spring of 1994 and a church building council was selected in the fall.
In just seven months, Palm West went from its first worship service to becoming a reality.
Church membership had grown to over 180 and attendance had exceeded 200 when the initial
building phase was completed. By 2003, membership exceeded 350.
In 1997, Dr. Dave Gallagher, along with his wife Mary Ann, was called as our first full-time pastor.
Due to its caring reputation throughout the local community, Palm West Community Church (PWCC)
came to be known as the “People Who Care Church”.
In 2006, the church transitioned from “American Baptist Churches” to “Transformation Ministries”.
Click on link: https://www.tmchurches.org for further information.
In 2009, Pastor Bruce Schipul, and his wife Christy, began their ten-year ministry at Palm West. The
church continued to grow under his leadership.
In 2019, Pastor Jim Powell, and wife Stephanie, joined our church as Senior Pastor. His particular
leadership provides strong emphasis toward enhancing our role as a caring church and reaching
additional people for Christ.
As a non-denominational church with people of varied backgrounds, we strive to fulfill our mission to
“Glorify God by connecting people to Jesus and one another.”