LONGVIEW, Texas -- More than 1,000 teens are expected to be on hand for the grand opening of the Oneighty youth church in the remodeled Longview Mall theater, according to the Longview News-Journal.
The church outgrew its former home and renovated the theater. More than $100,000 was spent on renovating and equipping the theater, the newspaper reported. Pastor Richie Mullis said more than half of the cost was paid by the city.
Mullis said the need to expand became evident when more than 2,000 youths -- nearly seven times the capacity of its Gilmer Road location -- crammed into the Pine Tree High School gymnasium during a February outreach. Several hundred typically attend weekly services at the church, an affiliate of the Tulsa, Okla.-based Oneighty youth ministry.
The church uses a combination of video games, foosball, pool and other activities to attract youth and bring the message of Christ down to their level, Mullis told the newspaper.
"When they find somebody that loves and is committed to them, they know it. It speaks for itself," Mullis said.
