Rising Star is the daughter church of Grace Temple Baptist Church. The first meeting of the descendant members from Grace Temple Baptist Church was held at the Pueblo Gardens Methodist Church located at East 36ᵗʰ Street and Plumer Avenue, with the late Rev. I. C. Green, former pastor of Grace Temple Baptist Church, presiding on December 1, 1976. There were approximately 43 people present, at which time the organization of a church was discussed and voted upon, with all members agreeing that the church would be named Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church.

The church was organized with Rev. I. C. Green as Pastor and 43 charter members. Within this membership was one associate minister, Rev. Williams; one ordained deacon, Bro. Cole; and 20 choir members. During the week of December 5, 1976, a building was located for rent with an option to buy at 34 West 34ᵗʰ Street. This building was purchased and eventually paid for in 1986.

Down through the years, Rising Star has welcomed many members who have made various contributions to the cause of Christ—many of whom have gone to be with the Lord, while others remain faithful on the battlefield for the Lord. The church has been blessed with several pastors who each contributed in their own unique way to the upbuilding of God’s Kingdom. This list of spiritual leaders includes the late Rev. I. C. Green, the late Rev. Roosevelt Foley, Rev. Choyce Coleman, Rev. A. J. Hall, the late Rev. James D. Shell, and Dr. Amos L. Lewis.

In January 1987, Dr. Amos L. Lewis, an Associate Minister from Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, was asked to preach for Rising Star one Sunday and was later invited to serve as Assistant Pastor during the illness of Rev. Shell. After serving faithfully for approximately six months, it was decided by the members that a permanent pastor was needed due to the seriousness of Rev. Shell’s illness. In May 1987, Rev. Lewis was called to serve as Pastor of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church and was installed on June 14, 1987, by Rev. Earnest L. Girley, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.

Under Dr. Lewis’s leadership, the church experienced tremendous blessings from God and grew spiritually, numerically, materially, and financially by His grace. To God be the glory for the great things He has done, is doing, and will continue to do through His faithful servants.

On March 31, 2007, Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church relocated from 34 West 34ᵗʰ Street to 2800 East 36ᵗʰ Street, Tucson, AZ 85713, where the ministry continues to thrive and serve the community.

Dr. Amos L. Lewis faithfully served as Senior Pastor of Rising Star until September 28, 2025, when he retired and was reassigned to serve in ministry in the state of Alabama. His decades of leadership left an indelible mark on the church and community.

Currently, Pastor Calvin Coker serves as Interim Senior Pastor, leading Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church alongside his wife, First Lady Cynthia Coker, during this important season of transition as the congregation prayerfully seeks God’s choice for their next Senior Pastor and the next chapter of the church’s ministry.