Covenant News

Missouri Church Enjoys Successful Grand Opening

LIBERTY, MO (September 28, 2001) - Liberty Springs Covenant Church hosted 112 people at its final grand opening service last Sunday, capping a series of events that included a barbecue and pancake breakfast.

The church had three consecutive special services as part of its grand opening, averaging 125 in attendance. Two special events related to the grand opening were canceled in following the terrorist attacks. Pastor Glen Smith was pleased with the results of the church's hard work in September. "We had a tremendous drawing of new people, which was impressive for us," said Smith, who at one time was an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri. "Over half of the people were unconnected with the church. That was the biggest surprise."

The church started services in April, averaging 75 people throughout the spring. Smith said the multiple-event grand opening was an effective way to get to know the community. The church sent 17,000 postcards to various homes in and around Liberty. "We covered the newspapers and radio stations and did mailings, as well as word of mouth," he said. Smith preached a sermon series on "Secrets for Successful Living" and seminars were offered at the church on two other occasions.

Smith believes Liberty, a growing suburb 15 miles northeast of Kansas City, is a promising area for a Covenant congregation. Smith decided to start the church after taking a church-planting course while in seminary. Smith has a heart for evangelism, having served on the Board of Directors for the Luis Palau evangelism campaign in Kansas City as well as the Christian Legal Society of Kansas City.

Liberty Springs Covenant meets at a local high school auditorium. He says his congregation has a sprinkling of theological backgrounds with a balanced intergenerational and interracial mix. Church services include contemporary music and drama, along with traditional liturgies and other aspects of traditional worship.

Smith expects to expand youth ministries at Liberty Springs Covenant, which has a significant middle school and grade school contingent and about one dozen high school students. The congregation is also seeking to be servants to the community and beyond, with a mission trip to Mexico planned for November.

For more information, call the church at 816-415-4240 or email glensmith@libertysprings.org. The web site for the church is www.libertysprings.org.

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