PEORIA, AZ -- Some Valley churches are praying for divine intervention to conquer a new trend in the real estate market.
"It took a lot of prayer, and a lot of crying, and a lot of soul searching," said Pastor Charles Marshall, of Pinnacle Peak Community Church.
Marshall has spent more than four decades preaching, and now he has to give up his church. The congregation isn't big enough to keep afloat financially.
"I've always moved up -- bigger buildings, better churches and built buildings, but never that direction," said Marshall.
He's not alone. There are more than a dozen churches up for sale in the Valley, and that's realtor Earle Shroyer's specialty.
"I've been in the real estate business for over 30 years, and this is probably the worst cycle I've seen," said Shroyer.
He said many churches have resorted to selling off land or downsizing. Some are even giving up their property for half of what they thought it was worth. Other churches are renting out space and time slots to other denominations.
"People are losing their jobs and their homes," said Shroyer. "The incomes into churches are declining, so it's taken a hit."
Shroyer said churches, which depend on donations, are now having a more difficult time getting loans because their income has been dwindling.
Pastor Marshall said he can only hope that the next time the doors of his church open, it will be to a congregation that continues his legacy of service.
"The Lord has something special planned for those of us who are left, so we're excited about that," said Marshall. "With a broken heart on one side and great expectations on the other side."
