Maranatha Church was established in June 1989 by five brothers who immigrated from Ethiopia. It was Phoenix’s first Ethiopian and Eritrean Protestant church. The church has grown over time, welcoming more Christian brothers and sisters into the community.

Pastor Surafel Gebretsadik is one of its founders and has been its pastor since 1989.

Maranatha Church has been assisting the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Phoenix through refugee sponsorship and homeless housing in addition to its outreach mission.

Up until 2021, the church was affiliated with the Central United Methodist Church (UMC), but that association came to an end when the UMC changed its doctrine and stance on same-sex marriage. You can read our statement of faith here.

The church is currently located at 1601 W Indian School Rd.