BUFFALO TWP - For the sixth time in 25 years, the Evangel Heights Assembly of God church on Beale Road is undergoing construction.

The church recently embarked on the first phase of the Millennial Ministries Center as the church continues to grow.

The Rev. John Kuert, who has been minister of the church for the past 25 years, said the first phase would add much-needed office space for the church, located off of Route 28.

"It seems like my time here has been one of continual building," Kuert said. "Our ministry is growing."

Kuert said the first phase would include room for a new preschool and day care center, a café and more room for the youth center, as well as office and studio space for the church's own 5,000-watt radio station, Praise 910-AM.

The church's preschool would be for children 5 and younger and will provide services and activities for the day care center as well.

The church currently has about 250 children in its still-growing Christian Academy.

Kuert said the café would give people a place to mingle before and after services while they enjoy a cup of coffee.

Funding for the first phase is already in place due to commitments from the congregation to the Capital Ministry Campaign's "Thinking of the Future" program.

Kuert hopes to have the first phase completed by summer and to have funding in place for the second phase, which would include a new fellowship hall and offices for the staff.

"We currently use the gymnasium that was built in 1984 for everything, from the school's cafeteria to children's church services and youth dinners," Kuert said. "We really need a newer and larger building."

The church has a membership of 350 people but regularly draws up to 600 people to one of its two Sunday services.

Kuert said the church added a second service last fall to meet the demand.

The two phases will add 29,000 square feet to the church and increase its size by more than half.

"We continue to grow and hopefully this will be our sixth and final project," Kuert said.