Desert Rose Community Church was founded in 1997 by Dr. Brian Alton who currently serves as Senior Pastor and President. In 1998, Dr. Alton, his wife Phaedra, and a team of dedicated pioneers instituted and facilitated the development of Gateway International Bible Institute (formerly Desert Rose Christian College) of which he is Chancellor.  

Pastor Brian completed his Masters degree in Theological Studies in 2006 and has faithfully served in various ministry and pastoral capacities since 1981. His passion is for the Corporate Church; with a heart for souls and spirit of unity that crosses all denominational boundaries. Early in his service, he studied under the prophetic ministry of the late Glenn A. Foster, former Senior Pastor of Sweetwater Church of the Valley, and pioneer of the prophetic ministry in Phoenix.

Dr. Alton is commissioned as an Apostolic and Prophetic leader to the city of Phoenix by his peers in various Christian, non-profit and corporate communities. He currently serves on several ministry and corporate boards. He is seen as a 'catalyst for unity' to the Corporate Church in the Valley of the Sun.

Pastor Phaedra is the Co-Founder of Desert Rose Community Church and serves alongside her husband, Dr. Brian Alton, as Senior Pastor also serving as a board member of Gateway International Bible Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Phaedra is involved in ministering to inmates at the Women's Federal Camp and has been serving on Arizona Governor, Janet Napolitano's personal prayer team. Phaedra's passion is for Missions. God has been taking her on a journey throughout different countries for the past few years to reveal her purpose to other nations.

Together, Brian and Phaedra strive to promote fellowship and unity with city-reaching events among the Corporate Body in the Valley. Their desire is to unify the family of Christ, building a vast company of net-working believers that can more effectively cover and reach our city for Christ; co-gathering in together, the end-time harvest of souls.