Rev. Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas, Sr.
Senior Minister

Greetings and Welcome to Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church's website. We are blessed that you have chosen to visit our site. It is the wish of all the members of Tanner Chapel that the information included here will be helpful to you. Please feel free to explore the site and send your comments to us at webmaster@tannerchapel.org. We also invite you to visit our Special Events or Calendar links to learn of the many activities underway at Tanner Chapel.

As a church family, we endeavor to be a spirit-filled, spirit-fed, and spirit-led congregation where no visitor or member is treated like a stranger.

Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest African-American church in the state of Arizona, serving the valley since 1886.

We are a diverse, multicultural congregation seeking to enhance the spiritual growth and development for people of all ages. We consider Tanner to be a church that is large enough to share - small enough to care.

You are encouraged to attend any of our Sunday worship services, special events, or join in the various programs we have to serve the members of Tanner Chapel and the community at large.

Again, thank you for visiting with us.

Welcome to the "Diamond in the Desert"

We look forward to having you worship with us.

BIBLE STUDY with Pastor Thomas

Every Wednesday
12:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church - Fellowship Hall

MINISTERIAL STAFF
Click here

BUILDING CHARACTER
 

In the northeastern United States codfish are a big commercial business. Note the following facts: There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the northeast coastline. But the public demand posed a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. So they experimented with
shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, the cod still lost its flavor and, in addition, became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected.

Finally, some creative person solved the problem in a most
innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank of water along with their natural enemy--the catfish. From the time the cod left the East Coast until it arrived at its westernmost destination,
those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank. And, you
guessed it, when the cod arrived at the market, they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the
texture affected. If anything, it was better than before.

Each one of us is in a tank of particular and inescapable
circumstances. It is painful enough to stay in the tank. But in addition to our situation, there are God-appointed "catfish" to bring sufficient tension that keeps us alive, alert, fresh and growing.

It's all part of God's project to shape our character so we will be more like his Son. Understand why the catfish are in your tank. Understand they are part of God's method of producing character in your life and mine.

"Later on will be too late," Walter cautioned Arthur as they walked back to the car. "You'd better move on it right now."

And so Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy up all the land that surrounded what was to become Disneyland. His friend Walt Disney tried to talk him into it. But Art thought he was crazy.

See you in Church on Sunday!
Pastor Thomas
Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church
602-253-8426

benjaminnthomas@tannerchapel.org