“Where Love Lights the Way”

 “Welcome to Sunrise” a greeter smiles and hands you a bulletin. An usher greets you again who ushers you gladly to your seat. The prelude has started and as the choir files in they smile in greeting to the congregation all the while taking their seats.

Sounds like any other church you would visit on a Sunday morning but it’s different. You feel the devotion of the lay reader as he or she assists the pastor with the service.  The choir, though small, fills the Sanctuary with song. The pastor, Rev. Pedro Rivera, also small in stature, preaches with so much excitement he almost propels himself over the pulpit. A continental breakfast awaits you as you arrive or between services to embrace each other with fellowship. This is Sunrise Presbyterian Church today. It is a Church with a long history in the community.

Bethany Christian Church became Sunrise Presbyterian in 1971. The land was donated to Bethany by Country Club Developers at the urging of Dick and Wilma Briggs. The campus in 1971 consisted of the Sanctuary, Briggs Hall, what is now the art room, the nursery and included restroom facilities.

Miami Shores Presbyterian started Sunrise as a mission church sending Rev. Don Davis and 35 members to the Country Club of Miami area. Rev. Davis served for 21 years and the membership grew to between 500 and 600 members and 3 services. As the church grew, so did the size of the church plant.  Fellowship Hall and classrooms were added with a large addition of an Educational wing and administrative offices in 1980’s.
In 1988, the church membership was weakened by airline closings and strikes. Many members of the congregation lost jobs, moved away and were affected in different ways. 

The year 1990 brought more challenges for Sunrise as the open areas around the church were now being filled with apartments. This brought a diverse population to the area and began to change the way that Sunrise looked from the pulpit. A new Senior pastor was called after the retirement of Rev. Don Davis. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh brought new spirituality and programs to Sunrise as well as a change in the Sunrise Academy adding elementary grades to its existing program. The Academy started as a daycare and Pre-K/ Kindergarten in 1976, today, it serves students up to the 5th grade. The elementary classes were added in 2002 and provide small classes and excellent teachers to not only children of the congregation, but other denominations as well.

By 2003, Sunrise had 49 different countries represented in its congregation. A Physical and spiritual change occurred in 2006 as a cellular bell tower was erected and a new Senior Pastor was called. The Session and the congregation agreed that it was time to initiate a Spanish Service and that has now become a part of the new face of Sunrise.

Sunrise has always been a nurturing congregation. The Helping Hands Ministry brings meals to those who are ill or unable to provide meals for themselves and some have received meals over an extended period of time. The Deacons keep in touch with those who are ill and the homebound. Cancer patients have received not only food but transportation for medical services. A food pantry has provided for those in need and there have been quarterly visits to Hope Lodge, a residence for families of those receiving treatment at the Jackson Memorial Cancer Center, until it closed in November, 2006.