Arizona is getting a new church thanks to this leadership development system

The Arizona Mission Network is getting a new church.

First Baptist Simpsonville | Upstate Church in South Carolina (FBS | UC), led by Pastor Wayne Bray, is sending son Pastor Will Bray and wife Molly to plant Frontline Church in San Tan Valley.

They will arrive in August 2026 with a projected open date of August 2027 for the church.

“Over the years we’ve partnered with North American Mission Board church planters,” Wayne said. “We have been focused on revitalization. We partnered with seven failing churches, and those churches have become campuses of FBS | UC and have grown from an attendance of 170 to 2,800 in the last 10 years.”

FBS | UC raises, recruits and equips people in various areas of ministry to become effective on the team or, sometimes, in other ministry settings across the country.

From 10 campuses to a church plant

This is the church’s first time sending one of their pastors to plant a church. Will is leaving a church with 10 campuses, each with its own pastor, 23 services per week and about 5,400 people.

He currently serves as senior director of team development at FBS | UC and has been instrumental in training people to serve as both leaders and support staff through “Pathways,” a program he developed specifically for the FBS | UC network.

He will be bringing to Arizona with him a team of three other couples, all of whom have completed a two-year residency program to prepare them for ministry. Three have served as staff members at the church’s various locations. Will is praying for and challenging others to join the Arizona-bound group.

Rylie and Drew Correll (left) are joining Molly and Will Bray (right) to plant Frontline Church. Will continues to pray for others to join the Arizona church planting team.

“A two-year residency is part of Pathways,” he said. “We strive to unleash highly capable ministry leaders, missionaries and church leaders.”

Equipping young leaders

The development plan teaches values, competencies and specific action steps for those going into ministry, whether they’re serving as a pastor or worship leader, in kids or student ministries or in creative arts.

“Our program is intentionally flexible,” Will said. “It depends on the individual’s gifts and those who feel called to a pastoral ministry. We support people while they grow into whatever the leadership role is. We lean into young leaders who show promise and potential. We have recognized potential leaders in ninth or tenth grades.”

Residents are college graduates who are either beginning or currently enrolled in seminary in person or online. They serve at one of the 10 locations.

There are currently 10 residents. A total of 36 residents have participated in the residency in the last five years. Some have served as leadership or support in different ministries throughout the church locations.

Will and Molly also recently completed the church planter assessment for NAMB Send Network.

To plant Frontline Church in Arizona, Pastor Will Bray and his wife Molly (right) are leaving behind their family and church. Pastor Wayne Bray (center) leads First Baptist Simpsonville | Upstate Church, the church that is sending Will and Molly.

Called to Arizona

Why Arizona?

“It is the place we really felt God put on our heart,” Will said. “There was a lot of clarity from the Lord. The Phoenix area is one of the largest, fastest growing, least-churched locations and a frontier for growth.”

After visiting the area, the plan came together quickly when Will and Molly felt God calling them to San Tan Valley.

The team will begin connecting with neighbors starting in January through events and interest meetings with the people God puts in their path. Two members of the team will be working in the corporate world, extending the reach of the church.

“We want to be known in the community and work with churches in the Arizona Mission Network,” Will said. “We want to be on the ground in the East Valley using our training and strategies. We want to be part of what God is doing in Arizona and see Him change lives.”

Irene A. Harkleroad, a freelance writer living in Carefree, is a member of Black Mountain Baptist Church, Cave Creek.