BrigePoint Church in Tarentum had their Grand Opening service on Sunday. They had a great service with 132 in attendance. This is another church plant through Allison Park. Congratulations to Pastor Greg & Francie Krowitz!
Tarentum Church goes another Round in Gym
By Michael Aubele
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Monday, March 17, 2008
Clara Manca walked away from Sunday's service at Tarentum's newest church feeling spiritually satisfied.
"I'm leaving with a smile on my face," the Lower Burrell resident said.
Manca and her two children, Harlee, 15, and Julius, 11, worshipped Sunday at BridgePoint Church, which marked its grand opening inside the James 5:16 Center along West Seventh Avenue.
BridgePoint is under the umbrella of Allison Park Church on Duncan Road in Hampton. BridgePoint Pastor Greg Krowitz said his church is the seventh one that Allison Park Church, an Assembly of God denomination, has begun in the Pittsburgh area.
BridgePoint bills itself as a church that "connects real people to the real God," Krowitz said. He said the church grew out of a small Bible study organized about two years ago in a house along East 10th Avenue in Tarentum.
Krowitz said the Bible study grew from a handful of people to about 30.
The group was forced to find a new home when the house where it was meeting was sold. Krowitz said the group found a new location at the James 5:16 Center, a faith-based boxing gym, thanks to gym owner Jim Kobert.
"The building is available to them for as long as they want to use it," Kobert said.
The church distributed thousands of mailers and fliers before Sunday's opening. Over the past few months, the congregation met for several worship services similar to a business "soft opening."
BridgePoint will hold regular services at 10 a.m. Sundays.
Krowitz found it hard to contain his excitement.
"Are you as excited as I am to be here?" he asked the congregation. Members responded with cheers and applause.
Krowitz told the congregation that with the help of Jesus Christ, "The sky is the limit," in terms of what can be accomplished in life, especially in the face of difficult challenges.
He invited boxer Paul Pindroh, 26, of Valencia to share the story about Pindroh became a Christian.
Pindroh said he came to his faith about five years ago after visiting Allison Park Church. He said his life before that was centered on partying as much as he could.
"God changes lives," Pindroh said. "God transforms your life."
Monday, March 17, 2008
BridgePoint Church Opens
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Amazing! That's what I think about this church plant and the whole Allison Park family of churches. There are alot of heroes in that area, taking big risks for God, and it's paying off! My question would be to ask, "How have they seemingly "mastered" that model, and how can we duplicate it to be relevant to surrounding areas?
Hey Rob! I wouldn't say we've 'mastered' the model, it's definitely a work in progress. But the whole model (MultiChurch) is based on a mothering church or group of churches being so kingdom-minded that they work toward the success of other churches. This is not to build their own kingdom but rather to reach their city for Christ. What is key to such a model is having a senior pastor or group of pastors that really have that kingdom-minded approach. If you go into it to 'build your own kingdom' you'll find it rather frustrating. Some might call it a 'church planting network', but it's really so much more than that. We don't just plant and release churches, we continue to 'father' our 'offspring'. Not with an iron fist, but through relationship. I hope that explains it. If you have more questions - fire away!
Post a Comment