"Back to Church Sunday" hits the Valley

PHOENIX - There was a nationwide effort on Sunday to get people going back to church.

Congregations across the nation are shinking thanks to more modern times and busy lifestyles.  83% of Americans claim to be Christian, but only 20% go to church.

"I think the flock has left us and we have left the flock" said Pastor Lonny DuFour of Liberty Tabernacle Church in South Phoenix.  "People are having problems in their lives and what we are finding is that break is because they left out the church."

Back to Church Sunday is an organized effort to change that.  3,700 churches were participating, sending out 1.4 million invitations to join churches across the country.  Church members were inviting friends and neighbors with the message "it's time to come back."

A recent survey found that half of people would go to church if invited by a friend or neighbor.

"I look forward to going" says Vanessa Beld.  She's been coming to Liberty Tabernacle for over a year since moving here from California.  "So many people are getting lost but you can always come home to Christ."

The same effort happened last year with half the number of invitations sent out.