Worthy worship

“Our grand opening was awesome,” Brian Rush, executive director of creative arts, said. “It was very good. We had 1,300 people at Sunday’s first two worship experiences. It was totally packed and the auditorium only seats 450 people.”

Because of the large crowd, church officials are expanding from two worship services to three, beginning Aug. 28. Worship times will now be at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The church is located inside the former Hollywood Theater at Heritage Plaza, 351 N. Air Depot. The church also is renting two additional spaces for children’s activities and classes. All total, the church has secured 25,000 square feet of space for its operations.

“We already had a number of people attending our Oklahoma City campus who lived in Midwest City, Del City, Choctaw and Spencer. We really felt like Midwest City was a great place to start a new location,” Rush said. “I don’t know if we offer something the others don’t. Every church ministers to different people and every church — whether large or small — is on the same team.”

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
However, Rush acknowledged that People’s Church provides a unique multicultural experience.

“There are not a lot of churches with that type of atmosphere,” he said. “Whether black, white, Indian or Asian, we had a diverse group of people attending our grand opening. We had every culture under the sun. People in our church are very reflective of who we are as a church. But we’re also a friendly church, and we cater to the next generation. We go over the top with everything we do for kids and the teenage ministries. We find creative ways to share the Bible, which never changes.”

The church services are highlighted by contemporary music, the pastor’s sermon and illustrative messages. The music includes rock ‘n’ roll, country and rhythm and blues. The services also are filled with a “video element” that keeps people’s attention, Rush said.

As the adults participate in the main worship service, children through the fifth grade attend Bible classes.

“We have age-specific ministry for children birth to fifth grade and for sixth through eighth grade,” Rush said.

However, the attention given to the youth ministry doesn’t stop there. During the next few weeks, People’s Church is offering several events to attract youngsters and their parents. A kids carnival will be held Aug. 28, complete with snow cones, pony rides, inflatables, face painting and clowns. On Sept. 4, the church will sponsor a Mr. Spriggs barbecue meal with nationally acclaimed poet Amena Brown reading some of her work.

On Sept. 11, the church will host a hamburger and hot dog cookout, as hip-hop artist Exodus performs.

“We’re excited to see what happens in the next few weeks,” Rush said.

Part of the church’s mission also involves community outreach. During the summer, church officials partnered with Monroney Middle School in a makeover of the school’s gymnasium and cafeteria, as well as installing new landscaping around the main entrance.

We really felt like Midwest City was a great place to start a new location. Brian Rush

People’s Church also offers a live online broadcast of its services from the Oklahoma City campus at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Rush said. The Midwest City services are not broadcast online.

People’s Church began in May 2002 with services at the AMC Theater in Quail Springs Mall. The Oklahoma City campus is now located at 800 E. Britton Road.

For more information about the church and its programs, go to peopleschurch.tv.