Staff

As the days get longer and summer draws closer, I anticipate the change of rhythm the season brings. I miss those who go back home for the summer. I share the excitement of vacations and travels of those who post to Facebook. I look forward to my own vacation, for rest and renewal. And there is something special about summer…not quite as bustling. More opportunity to be outdoors (at least where one can find shade!). Time to regroup and plan and dream. It’s also a time to explore discipleship more deeply and connect significantly with God and with nature. I pray you will hang out with us this summer at Deserts Skies!

Reverend Doctor Candace Lansberry is the Senior Pastor at Desert Skies United Methodist Church. She came to the church in 2015 excited about the possibilities for growth and ministry in the northeast part of Tucson. That excitement is fueled by the belief that vital mainline churches are an important part of reaching people of all ages who have been turned off by more extreme expressions of Christianity. The Desert Skies congregation is a vital, service-oriented congregation ready to take on the challenging task of reaching new people for Christ in new ways… and that is Rev. Candace’s passion as well.

Rev. Candace most recently served as a District Superintendent in the North District of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference (Las Vegas area) and prior to that planted two new United Methodist Churches, one in Mesa/Queen Creek and one in Las Vegas. She earned her Master of Divinity Degree at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California where she received the President’s Award for Academic Excellent and her Doctor of Ministry at Drew Theological Seminar in Madison, New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in Theater and Cinematic Arts.

Candace has been married to Mark, also a United Methodist pastor, for 30 years. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.