Valley Assembly videotaping services
In looking for a way to solve its crowding problem, the Valley Assembly of God Church stumbled on The Link.
The Link is a new worship service that combines coffee, doughnuts and a videotaped message each Sunday. “It’s a worship service in every respect,” said the Rev. Ken Lester, The Link’s host pastor. “The differences are that we have tables and coffee.”
The atmosphere is more relaxed with people sitting at tables and sipping hot brew, Lester said. The Rev. Al Hulten’s message from the 8:30 a.m. service is taped and then replayed during The Link, which begins at 9:45. A live worship band also plays.
The new service has been offered twice so far. The first week attracted 95 people, and 118 people attended the second service. “Who knows what we’ll have this Sunday,” Lester said. “We’ve already seen some new people coming in. It’s working exactly like we want it to.”
The church is currently working to expand its worship space. Three more traditional services are offered at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. each Sunday. “Some people add overflow rooms,” said Lester. “It’s not an overflow. We’ve designed it in a way for it to be a preferred selection.”
While The Link could be expected to attract a young audience, Lester said that people of all ages have been attending.
The idea for The Link came from a church in California. Lester and another member of the church’s staff went to visit the church to see how it was done. “We’re not doing it exactly the way they did, but we learned some things,” Lester said.
Valley Assembly is at 15618 E. Broadway Ave.
Meet the new superintendent
The new superintendent of the Northwest District of the Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Randy Craker, will visit the Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene on Sunday. Craker will speak during the 6 p.m. worship service at the church, 15515 E. 20th Ave.
A cookie social will follow the service. Members of Nazarene churches from around the Northwest District are expected to attend.
Southern Gospel concert
The Beene Family, a Southern Gospel quartet based in Tennessee, will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Friday at the Pasadena Park Church of the Nazarene, 8822 E. Upriver Drive. Donations will be accepted. Call the church at 926-5858 for more information.