5 Shocking Facts About Dream City Church Scottsdale AZ’s Major $10M+ Expansion And Record Growth

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Dream City Church Scottsdale, AZ, is no longer just a local campus; it is rapidly transforming into a major hub of spiritual and community activity, backed by a massive capital campaign. As of late December 2025, the Scottsdale campus is at the forefront of a significant, multi-million dollar expansion project that promises to redefine its role in the Arizona religious landscape. This deep dive uncovers the freshest details on the major construction updates, the record-breaking growth metrics reported by the church's leadership, and the complete profile of the visionary senior pastor driving this momentum.

The entire Dream City Church movement, a multi-site Pentecostal megachurch, is currently in a pivotal season of growth and strategic investment, known internally as the "Kingdom Builders" initiative. The Scottsdale location, specifically, is seeing a dramatic overhaul of its facilities, which is directly linked to an unprecedented surge in new members and conversions reported throughout 2025. This article breaks down the five most compelling facts about this dynamic and influential Arizona institution, moving beyond surface-level information to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis.

Pastor Luke Barnett: The Visionary Leader’s Profile and Mission

The driving force behind the multi-site Dream City Church movement, including the Scottsdale campus, is Senior Pastor Luke Barnett. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming the church into one of the largest and most influential megachurches in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.

A Full Biography of Senior Pastor Luke Barnett

  • Current Role: Senior Pastor of Dream City Church (DCC).
  • Church Scope: DCC operates with eight campuses across Arizona and California, boasting a total church body of over 30,000 people.
  • Family: Luke Barnett is married to Angel Barnett, who partners with him in ministry.
  • Legacy Connection: He continues the work started by his father, Pastor Tommy Barnett, who began leading the church (then Phoenix First Assembly of God) in 1979, growing it into one of the largest Assemblies of God congregations in the United States.
  • Associated Ministry: Pastor Barnett also leads the Phoenix Dream Center, a major humanitarian organization and inner-city campus dedicated to providing resources, education, and shelter to the homeless, hungry, and victims of human trafficking.
  • Core Vision: His leadership is guided by a God-inspired vision to see a wide-scale spiritual awakening and to make Arizona a "Christian state," a mission that underpins the current expansion efforts across all campuses.

Pastor Barnett is recognized as a speaker and leader known globally for his involvement in Christian ministry, focusing on both local church growth and large-scale community outreach through the Dream Center model.

Unveiling the Major Expansion: The New Dream City Scottsdale Campus

The Scottsdale campus is currently undergoing a "major expansion," a central component of the church’s 2025 Project Guide. This initiative, made possible by the "Kingdom Builders" capital campaign, focuses on upgrading facilities to accommodate the church's rapid growth and enhance the overall worship experience.

Key Features of the Multi-Million Dollar Scottsdale Renovation

The construction and renovation projects at the Scottsdale location, as detailed in a May 2025 update, are extensive and touch on nearly every aspect of the campus. These upgrades are designed to increase capacity, improve hospitality, and modernize the worship environment.

  • Expanded Lobby and Plaza: The project includes a significant lobby expansion and a complete Plaza renovation. The new, expanded lobby is specifically designed to welcome hundreds more people each weekend, addressing overcrowding issues resulting from recent growth.
  • New Children’s Facility: A dedicated, state-of-the-art new children's facility is being constructed, reflecting the church's commitment to family ministry and youth development.
  • Auditorium Platform Rebuild: The main auditorium is receiving a platform rebuild, which will likely enhance the modern sanctuary's existing features, such as crisp sound, professional lighting, and comfortable seating, which are often used for concerts and speaker series.
  • Enhanced Hospitality Areas: A new coffee bar service area is being implemented to improve the community and connection aspects of the weekend experience.
  • Sustainability and Infrastructure: The project also includes the installation of a solar canopy, indicating a commitment to modern, sustainable infrastructure.
  • Backstage Classrooms: New backstage classrooms are being added, likely to support the growing number of volunteers, staff, and ministry teams.

This comprehensive overhaul positions the Scottsdale campus not just as a place of worship, but as a fully equipped community center capable of hosting large-scale events and supporting extensive ministry programs for all age groups, including energetic youth ministry for middle and high school students.

Growth, Mission, and Nuance: The Impact of Dream City Church in Arizona

Dream City Church’s influence extends far beyond its physical campuses, making it a powerful entity in Arizona’s cultural and political conversations. The church’s mission is broadly defined as a movement and a family united to gather as God's people, grow in understanding of God's Word, and serve the community.

Record-Breaking Spiritual Growth Metrics

In a May 2025 Kingdom Builders Update, the church leadership highlighted remarkable growth figures across its Arizona campuses, demonstrating the efficacy of their outreach efforts. The Scottsdale campus specifically reported a significant milestone:

  • 364 New Believers: In a short span of just eight weeks leading up to the May 2025 update, the Scottsdale campus recorded 364 new individuals accepting Christ as their Savior.

This rapid rate of conversion and membership growth is the primary justification for the ongoing major expansion, as the existing facilities could no longer comfortably contain the burgeoning congregation. The church is actively preparing for future growth, including planning for the "Next10: Decade of Destiny" at the Dream Conference 2026, a pivotal gathering for pastors and leaders.

Political Involvement and Public Controversy

As a highly visible megachurch, Dream City Church has occasionally been the subject of public scrutiny, particularly regarding its political activities. The church has a history of hosting high-profile political events, including rallies for former President Donald Trump, which has drawn criticism regarding the separation of church and state for a tax-exempt organization.

Church leaders have defended their actions, stating their intent is to engage in public discourse and serve the community. However, the blending of faith and politics has raised the church’s profile, often leading to both increased visibility and controversy.

Furthermore, the larger Dream City Church organization (headquartered in Phoenix) has faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the father of a sexual abuse victim, highlighting the complex issues that large religious institutions must navigate.

Dream City’s Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the Scottsdale campus expansion is expected to be a major catalyst for the church's future in the region. The new facilities—from the children's center to the expanded lobby—will facilitate even greater community engagement and spiritual discipleship. The overall organization continues to focus on its multi-site model and large-scale outreach programs like the Phoenix Dream Center, cementing its role as a powerful, if sometimes controversial, leader in the national Assemblies of God movement and the broader evangelical landscape. The ongoing growth and investment signal a strong commitment to their mission, ensuring Dream City Church Scottsdale remains a key entity to watch in the coming years.

dream city church scottsdale az
dream city church scottsdale az

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