If you’ve lived in the Phoenix metro area for more than five minutes, you’ve seen the stickers. Those white "CCV" ovals are everywhere. They are on the back of dirty SUVs in Gilbert, parked at grocery stores in Surprise, and definitely idling in the long pickup lines at schools across the West Valley. But the heart of the whole operation—the massive, literal "city on a hill" that started the movement—is Christ's Church of the Valley Peoria.
It's huge.
Seriously, calling it a "big church" feels like an understatement. Driving onto the Peoria campus, located near 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, feels more like entering a high-end community college or a tech giant’s headquarters than a traditional steeple-and-pews chapel. It’s a sprawling 100-acre landscape that has redefined what modern American worship looks like. Honestly, it can be intimidating if you aren't used to that scale. You might wonder if you’re going to get lost in the crowd or if the whole thing is just a big production.
The reality is more nuanced than the "megachurch" stereotype suggests.
The Peoria Campus: More Than Just a Saturday Night
Most people think of Christ's Church of the Valley Peoria as a place where thousands of people gather to hear a sermon, but the campus is actually a massive public resource. It’s open seven days a week. You’ll see people jogging on the trails that weave through the desert landscaping or parents letting their kids burn off energy at the playground.
The "Sports Complex" is a massive draw. We're talking professional-grade turf fields for soccer, football, and baseball. It isn't just for "church kids." Local leagues use these facilities constantly. CCV Stars, the church’s sports ministry, has become one of the largest youth sports providers in Arizona. They focus on character as much as the scoreboard, which is why even families who don't attend the weekend services often find themselves on the Peoria campus every Tuesday night for practice.
The architecture itself is intentional. You won’t find stained glass here. Instead, you’ll find shade structures, outdoor seating with misters (essential for Arizona summers), and an open-air feel that tries to bridge the gap between the rugged desert and the sanctuary.
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Why the Scale Matters
It’s easy to criticize the size. Some people prefer a small, intimate setting where everyone knows your name and your grandmother’s middle name. CCV Peoria isn't that. It’s designed for the "unchurched."
The late Dr. Donald Wolf started this work in 1982 in a rented middle school cafeteria. He had a vision for a church that didn't feel like "church" in the traditional, stuffy sense. He wanted a place where a guy in a t-shirt and flip-flops could sit in the back row, drink a coffee, and not feel judged. That "come as you are" DNA is still there.
Because the Peoria campus is so large, they can afford a level of production that rivals a concert venue. The lighting, the sound, the high-definition LED screens—it’s all there to keep your attention. In a world where we are constantly stimulated by our phones, CCV Peoria leans into that technology rather than fighting it. They use it to tell stories.
Navigating the Weekend Experience
If you decide to show up on a weekend, prepare for the parking lot. It’s a well-oiled machine. They have "parking ninjas" (volunteers in bright vests) who direct traffic with the precision of air traffic controllers.
Once you’re inside the lobby, it feels like a mall. There’s a bookstore, a café, and several "Starting Point" kiosks where you can ask questions. The auditorium—which they call the "Worship Center"—seats about 3,500 people. Even with that many seats, the 4:00 PM Saturday service and the Sunday morning slots usually fill up.
- The Music: It’s loud. It’s modern. It’s catchy. Don't expect a pipe organ. Expect a full band with electric guitars and a heavy drum beat.
- The Message: Usually delivered by Senior Pastor Ashley Wooldridge or a guest speaker, the sermons are practical. They focus on things like marriage, anxiety, debt, and parenting. They use the Bible, but they apply it to 21st-century problems.
- The Kids' Wing: This is arguably the most impressive part of the Peoria campus. The "CCV Kids" area is high-security. Parents get matching labels for their children, and you can't even enter the hallway without the right tag. Inside, it looks like a theme park, tailored to different age groups from birth through 6th grade.
What about the "Mega" stigma?
Let's be real. A lot of people are wary of big churches because of concerns about transparency or "losing the individual." CCV Peoria attempts to solve this through "Neighborhood Groups." Basically, they take this massive crowd and break it down into small groups that meet in people’s living rooms across Peoria, Glendale, and Phoenix.
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They also publish their financial reports. In an era where "celebrity pastors" are under the microscope, CCV has maintained a reputation for being relatively transparent about where the money goes. A huge chunk of it goes back into the community—local food banks, foster care initiatives, and global missions in places like Africa and South America.
The Local Impact on Peoria
Christ's Church of the Valley Peoria isn't just an island. It’s a major economic and social driver for the city. When CCV holds a large event, the surrounding businesses—the Starbucks on 67th, the restaurants at Lake Pleasant Pavilion—see a massive spike in traffic.
But it’s the volunteer hours that really move the needle. During their "Serve" weekends, thousands of people from the Peoria campus head out to paint local schools, clean up parks, and pack meals for the hungry. It’s a logistical feat. They partner with the City of Peoria on various initiatives, showing that the church views itself as a neighbor, not just a weekly destination.
Common Misconceptions
One big myth is that you have to be a member to participate. You don't. You can show up for five years, play in the soccer league, and drink the coffee without ever signing a piece of paper.
Another misconception is that the church is politically partisan. While the theology is conservative (evangelical), the leadership generally tries to stay out of specific candidate endorsements from the pulpit. They focus more on "theology in practice" rather than "politics in the pews."
However, because of its size, the church does have a lot of influence. When the leadership speaks on a social issue, people listen. That carries a weight of responsibility that the staff seems acutely aware of.
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Making the Most of Your Visit
If you’re thinking about checking it out, don't just wing it. It's too big for that.
- Check the times. Saturday services are often less crowded than Sunday mornings. If you hate traffic, go to the earliest or latest option.
- Use the "New Here" area. If you tell a volunteer it’s your first time, they will literally walk you through the building so you don't feel like a lost tourist.
- Download the app. The CCV app has the sermon notes, the music playlists, and a way to find a neighborhood group. It’s the easiest way to make the large campus feel smaller.
- Look for the "Next Steps" area. If you’re looking for more than just a show, this is where you find out about baptism, volunteering, or joining a group.
CCV Peoria is a juggernaut. It’s a hub of activity that reflects the rapid growth of the North Valley. Whether you’re there for the faith, the sports, or just a place to let your kids run around, it’s hard to deny the impact this single location has had on the landscape of Arizona. It’s a place that manages to be both a massive institution and a local hangout, which is a pretty difficult needle to thread.
Next Steps for Engaging with CCV Peoria
If you want to move beyond being a spectator, consider these specific actions:
- Visit the Sports Complex on a Weeknight: You don't need to attend a service to see the community in action. Watching a youth soccer game is the fastest way to feel the "vibe" of the Peoria campus.
- Attend "Starting Point": This is a short session specifically for people who are new or skeptical. It’s the best place to ask the "hard" questions about theology or finances without feeling pressured.
- Volunteer for a Local Project: Keep an eye on the church’s calendar for community serve days. It’s a low-pressure way to meet people and help the Peoria community at the same time.
- Explore the Trails: The campus is open to the public during the week. Use the walking paths to get a sense of the scale and the intentional design of the desert landscape.
The Peoria campus remains the flagship for a reason. It’s where the vision started, and it’s where the most resources are concentrated. If you're looking for a place that offers everything from high-energy worship to professional-grade sports leagues, this is it. It’s not for everyone, but for the thousands who call it home, it’s a vital part of life in the Valley.