Our Story

 
Laughlin Community Church began in 1985 as Laughlin Baptist Church - a sponsored mission of the First Southern Baptist Church of Boulder City, Nevada.
 
In 1985, Pastor Phil and Sylvia Workman and their two children moved to Laughlin, Nevada with the sole purpose of church planting. In November of 1985, the mission conducted their first Bible study in the Rio Vista Apartment clubhouse in Laughlin. In September of 1987, Laughlin Baptist Church began worship services in a single storefront unit in Laughlin’s South Pointe Business Park. Pastor Phil held the Pastoral position until July of 1995.
 

In July of 1995, Chuck Downey became the new Pastor of Laughlin Baptist Church and during his tenure, the church relocated its worship services to the Laughlin High School Student Center. Pastor Chuck left his position in August of 1996 without a pastor in hand. Southern Nevada Baptist Association Director Harry Watson volunteered to become the Interim Pastor of LCC.
 
In March of 1997, Pastor Gene Lee began as Pastor of Laughlin Baptist Church with the congregation still meeting at the high school. Pastor Gene felt that the church needed to be located back in the heart of the community. So, the church moved back to the South Pointe Business Park in the spring of 1999 and physically expanded by adding a second storefront unit. Within three months, a third unit was needed in order to accommodate Laughlin Baptist Church’s rapidly growing congregation. Worship services were conducted on Sunday morning and Sunday evening.
 
James Campa came on board as Associate Pastor in June of 1999. He was ordained to the gospel ministry by the church on March 30, 2003. Pastor James conducted the Sunday evening worship service and worked full-time in the Marketing Department at the Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino in Laughlin. Pastor James served as Associate Pastor until June of 2005 when he moved to Las Vegas. He continued, however, to serve the church as pulpit supply pastor.
 
In June of 2001, the congregation voted to change the name of the church to Laughlin Community Church. The congregation longed and prayed for a new and larger church facility to call home as the need for more space was crucial.
 
A building fund was established in 2002. With the help of many fundraisers, individual pledges, and a generous donation from a member of the congregation, LCC was able to procure a piece of land at the corner of South Needles Highway and Palm Terrace in Laughlin. Construction on the new facility - the Laughlin Community Church Worship Center - began in the spring of 2004. The first service in the new Worship Center was held on December 18, 2005.




 
In May of 2006, Marilyn Meyer became our new Associate Pastor after completing her studies and graduating from Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Pastor Marilyn was ordained to the gospel ministry by Laughlin Community Church on March 4, 2007. In September of 2012, Pastor Marilyn stepped down and retired as Associate Pastor.
 
In April 2013, Will Douglas became our new Associate Pastor. Pastor Will and his wife Larissa, and their five children moved from Virginia to Laughlin. Pastor Will served as Associate Pastor until April of 2017.

 

Senior Pastor Gene Lee retired in March of 2017 after 20 years of dedicated service.
 
Interim Pastor Jim Ekbom filled the pulpit in April of 2017 and helped guide Laughlin Community Church through an eleven-month transition period. Pastor Jim left the church in February of 2018 when the search for a new Senior Pastor was completed.
 
Pastor Michael “Ryan” Stotler assumed the role of Senior Pastor in February of 2018. Pastor Ryan and his wife Starr, along with their three children, moved from New Mexico to make Laughlin their new home.
 
We believe that God has a great purpose for this fellowship in the years to come! We hope you’ll join us in worshiping the Lord and achieving that great purpose.