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Mark Driscoll Confirms Move to Phoenix, Sparks Speculation of Church Plant

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jul 28, 2015

Controversial pastor Mark Driscoll has reportedly announced plans to move to Phoenix Arizona. Christian Today reports the pastor confirmed his move but said there are "no concrete plans for ongoing local church ministry as of yet.”

In an email, Driscoll said church ministry, "remains a calling and desire, but my plan is not to rush into anything. Instead, caring for each member of our family, seeking the wise counsel of pastors we are walking with, and building local relationships with Christian leaders to help build churches locally and globally is our focus. Beyond that, we will see how the Lord leads."

Still, some believe Driscoll’s move has to do with a new church planting endeavor. 

Recently, Driscoll took part in Hillsong Church’s conferences in Australia and London through a videotaped interview with Hillsong founder Brian Houston. Critics protested the event, arguing that the pastor had not sought repentance for past sins against the former Mars Hill Church. 

Driscoll was the lead pastor of Mars Hill Church, but was accused of bullying, misuse of church funds and plagiarism in one of his books. The pastor stepped down from the ministry last year and the multi-church complex dissolved. 

Publication date: July 28, 2015