A church family on Central Avenue.
We focus on loving God, loving (all) people, and following Jesus. We meet for worship, Bible study and prayer, and we show God’s love to our community in many ways.
From a tent at Western & Central.
In early 1943, a four-week tent revival was held on the corner of Western and Central avenues, just west of downtown Avondale. When it ended, the new believers organized a church, and the first worship service of what was then First Baptist Church was held on Sunday, March 7, 1943. By that September they had built a simple frame building on a corner lot. Members who came to faith in those years were baptized in a borrowed baptistry in Buckeye, because the church didn’t have one yet. We’ve moved twice and changed our name since then.
Decades later, the church is still doing what it set out to do: worshiping together and showing God’s love to our neighbors. Pastor Jack Marslender has served at ABC since 1999. We’re affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and give to missions through the International Mission Board, the North American Mission Board and the Arizona Southern Baptist Mission Network.
What we believe- 1943
A tent at Western & Central
After a four-week tent revival, the first worship service is held on Sunday, March 7.
- 1943
A frame church
By September the members have built a simple frame building on a corner lot.
- 1952
A new building on Central
The congregation moves into a new building on Central Avenue.
- 1999
Pastor Jack
Jack Marslender comes to ABC.
- Today
Still at it
Worship, Bible teaching and love for our neighbors — in English and en español.
Our staff
Have a question? Contact the staff member who can help.
Jack Marslender
Pastor Jack is our primary teacher and oversees our staff and ministries. He has served at ABC since 1999. He is married to Dawn and is the father of 9 children and grandfather of 9.
Email Jack
Jeremy Wiles
Jeremy assists Pastor Jack and directly oversees our youth and children’s ministries. He has been on staff since 2021. He is married to Krystal and has two children and one grandson.
Email Jeremy
Jenny Caylor
Jenny joined the staff on September 1, 2026, to help every one of our “love” ministries share the Gospel. She also leads weekly at Estrella Mountain Community College as our church’s Christian Challenge missionary. She and her husband William have three boys: Zeke, Benny, and Anthony.
Tina Giles
Tina leads our worship and livestream. She joined our staff in 2020, adding worship leading in 2023. She is married to Noah and has 3 sons.
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Rebecca Black
Rebecca oversees all of the preschool and nursery ministries at ABC. She joined the church staff in 2018. She is married to Daniel and has 3 children.
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Amanda Lehmkuhl
Amanda oversees our office, communications, and publications. She has been an ABC member since 2016 and joined our staff in 2023. She is married to Phillip.
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Logan Wiles
Logan is a student at Grand Canyon University. He assists us with outreach, keeping us focused on reaching people for Jesus. He is married to Kelly and has 1 child.
Email Logan
Larry Wonner
Larry is our lead custodian and oversees the cleaning and set-up of our buildings. He is married to Mary Kaye and has three grown children.
Email LarryWhy people call ABC family
“I first attended ABC when we met in a tent on the corner of Western and Central avenues. I was baptized (we used a baptistry in Buckeye since we didn’t have one) in 1946, and I married Jerry Backer in 1952 in our new church building on Central. We moved away but returned in 1970, and I have been active here ever since. ABC has been a central part of my family’s life for our whole lives, and I pray it will continue well into the future!”
Bessie Mae Backer
“I’ve attended Avondale Baptist Church for nearly 30 years. Kendra and I have grown our family here and continue to grow in our relationship with Christ. We love the family-like atmosphere and being able to serve within the church. We hope our family remains members for many generations to come.”
Jon, Kendra, McKenzie & Blake Bearup
“Avondale Baptist Church has given new meaning to family. I have never felt such acceptance and support. This church has helped me through some very troubling mental, emotional and physically painful times. When I thought I was alone, this church picked me up and showed me and my family great love. They taught me prayer and faith in God are powerful. This church has taught me that you do not have to be blood related to be a family. I am forever grateful to ABC.”
Evelyn Long
“Our family came to Avondale Baptist Church when COVID restrictions had closed many churches. We began online, then visited the church with our whole family. We saw what was being preached was being put into action. It was important that our girls not only hear the word of God but see it being lived out in love. Most importantly, they get to serve the community alongside the church. We love that we can grow in Christ at our own pace.”
Jessie, Gabriela, Olivia & Sophia Barrera
Meet more of our members in the ABC Stories videos.