On April 2, 2022, Rev. Derrick Elliott presided over his first worship service at Sun Lakes UCC. The congregation welcomed him with much excitement and treated him to some light refreshments after the service where he had the chance to talk with many of the members from the church.

Rev. Elliott will continue to also be the part-time pastor at Desert Heritage UCC Church in Mesa. Both churches are relatively small and will be participating in an arrangement that will provide a part-time pastor for each church and at the same time, full-time work for one minister.