JULY 2026 UPDATE
Hey Redeemer Family,
I want to update you on a very recent development concerning our new property.
As you may know, Lakeview Village (LV) was once a thriving strip mall on Val Vista and Baseline in the Town of Gilbert. However, for the past six years, the old Fry's building has stood empty as the entire complex has gradually been allowed to deteriorate.
We are thrilled, as new owners, to have the opportunity to revitalize that structure and, as a result, the whole corner. What is now a defunct grocery store will soon be transformed into a healthy, thriving church, turning the whole area into a magnetic, life-giving space where people from all over our Valley will not only worship, grow, and belong, but also eat, shop, and play.
If you read my email from July 22, you may have guessed that some issues have arisen.
Unfortunately, after years of feuding between two LV owners, one of our new neighbors has now filed a lawsuit to prevent us from moving forward with the plan to use the property as a church.
I don't know about you, but when I hear the word 'lawsuit,' it makes me nervous due to my ignorance (I've never been sued before) and my uncertainty of getting a just resolution in this fallen world. It just seems the owner bringing the suit wants to make sure that a church does not operate in LV, even though, ironically, this same neighbor previously leased space to a church in a suite next to the old Fry's.
Now, there is one important item that I need to make you aware of. Should you try to talk to someone on our staff about the lawsuit and find that they do not get into the details with you, just know it is either because 1) they truly do not know the details, or 2) it's because our staff's conversations about all this are subject to attorney-client privilege. So please honor the Lord, us, and the process by not seeking details outside of what is contained in this communication.
If you have any questions, please direct them to our Business Director, Brian Johnson at brianj@redeemeraz.org, who, along with Dale Thackrah, has worked tirelessly, even while on vacation, to protect our church and give full attention to these matters. If you see either man around our campus, thank them for their love and care for Jesus and for Redeemer.
God tells us in Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all," even if that "all" includes people who seem to be working against God's plans for this property. We are committed to being at peace with our new neighbors as we also work towards both a just outcome and reconciliation between all parties involved.
As I said in my previous email, opposition to the Lord's work in this world is to be expected. In light of that, His people must pray. Pray for God to be glorified and our church's witness to remain strong and consistent regardless of what comes our way. Pray for a fair, speedy, and just resolution to this legal matter. Pray that your leaders and our lawyers will have God's wisdom, doing what's right and best in this difficult and unexpected situation. Pray for the soul of the owner bringing this suit, and that his heart would soften.
In the end, I don't know a single group of people I'd rather be going through all of this with than you, the members and regular attenders of Redeemer. Your commitment to the Lord, as well as your love for me and for our church, gives me great hope that we will weather this storm together and actually come out in a better place than we are now on the other side of this ordeal.
Meanwhile, architectural plans are being finalized, and the Town of Gilbert is supportive as all the planning is moving forward.
I look forward to being back in the pulpit this weekend at Redeemer Bible Church, back in the book of John. I cannot wait to see all!
Grace and Peace,
Jon Benzinger
I want to update you on a very recent development concerning our new property.
As you may know, Lakeview Village (LV) was once a thriving strip mall on Val Vista and Baseline in the Town of Gilbert. However, for the past six years, the old Fry's building has stood empty as the entire complex has gradually been allowed to deteriorate.
We are thrilled, as new owners, to have the opportunity to revitalize that structure and, as a result, the whole corner. What is now a defunct grocery store will soon be transformed into a healthy, thriving church, turning the whole area into a magnetic, life-giving space where people from all over our Valley will not only worship, grow, and belong, but also eat, shop, and play.
If you read my email from July 22, you may have guessed that some issues have arisen.
Unfortunately, after years of feuding between two LV owners, one of our new neighbors has now filed a lawsuit to prevent us from moving forward with the plan to use the property as a church.
I don't know about you, but when I hear the word 'lawsuit,' it makes me nervous due to my ignorance (I've never been sued before) and my uncertainty of getting a just resolution in this fallen world. It just seems the owner bringing the suit wants to make sure that a church does not operate in LV, even though, ironically, this same neighbor previously leased space to a church in a suite next to the old Fry's.
Now, there is one important item that I need to make you aware of. Should you try to talk to someone on our staff about the lawsuit and find that they do not get into the details with you, just know it is either because 1) they truly do not know the details, or 2) it's because our staff's conversations about all this are subject to attorney-client privilege. So please honor the Lord, us, and the process by not seeking details outside of what is contained in this communication.
If you have any questions, please direct them to our Business Director, Brian Johnson at brianj@redeemeraz.org, who, along with Dale Thackrah, has worked tirelessly, even while on vacation, to protect our church and give full attention to these matters. If you see either man around our campus, thank them for their love and care for Jesus and for Redeemer.
God tells us in Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all," even if that "all" includes people who seem to be working against God's plans for this property. We are committed to being at peace with our new neighbors as we also work towards both a just outcome and reconciliation between all parties involved.
As I said in my previous email, opposition to the Lord's work in this world is to be expected. In light of that, His people must pray. Pray for God to be glorified and our church's witness to remain strong and consistent regardless of what comes our way. Pray for a fair, speedy, and just resolution to this legal matter. Pray that your leaders and our lawyers will have God's wisdom, doing what's right and best in this difficult and unexpected situation. Pray for the soul of the owner bringing this suit, and that his heart would soften.
In the end, I don't know a single group of people I'd rather be going through all of this with than you, the members and regular attenders of Redeemer. Your commitment to the Lord, as well as your love for me and for our church, gives me great hope that we will weather this storm together and actually come out in a better place than we are now on the other side of this ordeal.
Meanwhile, architectural plans are being finalized, and the Town of Gilbert is supportive as all the planning is moving forward.
I look forward to being back in the pulpit this weekend at Redeemer Bible Church, back in the book of John. I cannot wait to see all!
Grace and Peace,
Jon Benzinger
FAQ's
Who is Gateway Triangle Development, LLC?
Gateway is the church’s new neighbor in the Lakeview Village Shopping Center, within the Val Vista Lakes Community of Gilbert, AZ. Gateway is a California limited liability company that owns many of the parcels in the Shopping Center, including the ones to the east and west of Redeemer Bible Church’s new campus, and it is also responsible for maintaining the common areas, like the landscaping and parking lots.
What is the lawsuit about?
According to Gateway, the controlling question raised in the lawsuit is: “whether the owner of Lot 12 of the Shopping Center [Redeemer] may convert the use of the building located on that parcel [the old Fry’s building] to a house of worship and place of religious assembly when the Declaration limits every parcel, including Lot 12, to ‘commercial purposes only.’”
What does the Declaration actually say?
Originally written in 1986, the initial Declaration reads:
“The Shopping Center shall be used for commercial purposes only. Such purposes shall be limited to the development, construction, leasing, operation and maintenance of mercantile, business, medical facilities, service and professional establishments.”
“The Shopping Center shall be used for commercial purposes only. Such purposes shall be limited to the development, construction, leasing, operation and maintenance of mercantile, business, medical facilities, service and professional establishments.”
What is Redeemer’s position?
Gateway seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to worship. Work and worship are not mutually exclusive activities. Redeemer Bible Church is a mercantile, it’s a business, it’s a service establishment, it’s a professional establishment, and it performs all of these roles for the glory of God - in other words, as an act of worship.
Gateway previously leased one of its own suites to a church, but it now maintains that having churches in the Shopping Center violates the Declaration.
Gateway previously leased one of its own suites to a church, but it now maintains that having churches in the Shopping Center violates the Declaration.
What does the Bible say?
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23-24
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23-24
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
Did the church make efforts toward biblical reconciliation with Gateway?
Yes, and we will continue to pursue reconciliation with Gateway, and between the owners that have previously feuded, in as much as it depends on us.
How will this lawsuit affect the church’s plans for the new space?
Redeemer Bible Church will move forward with our plans to remodel the building and revitalize the area so that more people can know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.
What can I do to help?
As Pastor Jon stated in his recent letter, please pray for our relationship with our new neighbor, for God’s continued favor with the new property, and for wisdom for our leaders and attorneys.
Please also consider making a financial contribution to support the ministry of Redeemer Bible Church and our construction project. We are excited about how God is going to use the new property to unhinder our ministry expansion and advance His kingdom for many years to come!
Please also consider making a financial contribution to support the ministry of Redeemer Bible Church and our construction project. We are excited about how God is going to use the new property to unhinder our ministry expansion and advance His kingdom for many years to come!
Click here to GIVE to Redeemer Bible Church.