Mike Durso, front, and Bill Glassman, pastor of the Church of the Living Word in Franklin Twp. cut lumber as they continue to renovate their new church. Now in its 10th year, the church is building a new facility on Reiger Road, having moved from its former location in Meridian. All the work is being done by church members.

FRANKLIN TWP — "The plant that grows the quickest doesn't always have the deepest roots, but the plant that struggles to grow has deep roots and will be stronger and last longer."

That is how Bill Glassman, 44, founding pastor of Church of the Living Word, describes his church and its members.

Church of the Living Word, now in its 10th year, is building a new facility on Reiger Road, having moved from its former location in Meridian. All the work is being done by church members, or members of sister churches, according to Glassman.

"I'd say at least 98 percent of the work has been done by those people," he said. "Even though things like the blueprints and excavation weren't done by church members, a church member was involved in some way because they know the people that did the work."

That work is part of Phase 1 of the four-phase plan that will eventually provide more than 26,500 square feet at the new location, which was purchased nearly two years ago.

The 9.2 acre plot of land was previously the Reiger farm, and owned by an elderly pair of sisters. Before their death, they sold the property for about $50,000, and, according to Glassman, were happy just to see it be used for a church.

Phase 1 will give church members about 4,000 square feet, divided between two floors, and will be roughly the same size as the former Meridian location, which was purchased by Bright Hope Community Church.

Glassman described the size as "adequate," and admits that it's only part of a much bigger picture.

"We have a big vision for a small church,"he said. "God has a greater plan for us. Iwasn't even looking for this land when it came to us. Ireally believe God wanted us to build a church here."

Phase 1, a $135,000 project, likely will not be completed until late spring or early summer, according to Glassman. Plans are to make the lower 2 feet of the building with brick and use vinyl the rest of the way.

While the building itself could be complete by the end of March, the grounds preparation will take the bulk of the time, he said. The ground still needs to be leveled and a parking lot paved, among other things.

"Some of our members are really gung-ho about getting into Phase 2,"Glassman said. "But we want to make sure we're situated and set up properly, and money isn't a concern before we get into that."

Until then, the 100 member church is meeting at the Connoquenessing Elementary School on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m., with Sunday School classes at 9:45 a.m.

The church itself is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and has an identical theology to the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

The church has also done ministry work at the Lowrie-Shaw House in Butler, the Big Butler Fair and the Butler Farm Show over the last several years.

"One thing that I think really separates us from other churches is how well we cater to young people," Glassman said. "That's another reason this new location is such a blessing. There's a Boys and Girls Club nearby, and hopefully we can reach some young people there."

In 1998, the church established Living Word Academy, a Christian school, that trains children, both academically and spiritually.

But Church of the Living Word is not just for young people.

"It's a very blended style of worship," Glassman said, "that offers something for everyone."

"We're a tightly knit group," he added. "And things haven't always been easy. But God has a plan for us, and that's why he brought us here.

"The camaraderie is like a platoon in an army — we all have a common vision. And we look forward to making new friends and neighbors in Franklin Township."