Church celebrates new facility
CRANBERRY TWP — For more than a decade, the Rev. John Nuzzo of the Victory Family Church has envisioned plans for a new worship and educational space for his congregation.
Earlier this month, his plans and dreams were realized when the church moved from its former building on Freedom Road to a new facility on Route 19.
"I've been working with Pastor John for the past 12 Qw years, and this is something he's always talked about," said the Rev. Larry Bettencourt, student ministries pastor.
"It's finally here. It's very exciting."
The $8 million, 65,000-square-foot church was completed last month and opened the first week of April.
The congregation was known as the Victory Christian Fellowship until the name was changed last year to better reflect the ministry.
Founded by Nuzzo and his wife Michelle, it has operated in Cranberry Township for nearly 13 years, originally holding services in a movie theater before moving four years later to the former church off Mystic Pine Trail.
That church was bought and now is the new home of the Grace Community Church, which used to hold worship services in Haine School.
Though the church opened earlier this month, grand opening festivities including an annual Eggstravaganza will be held this week.
On the church's first Sunday gathering in April, more than 1,700 from the congregation got their first look at the new sanctuary.
"Our church has made a significant commitment to the community," said Nuzzo.
"We focus the ministry on family."
The non-denominational church spent $1.5 million alone transforming the youth sections of the church into a setting that young children and teenagers would enjoy.
The youth wing features a replica room made to look like Heinz Field, an Extreme sports room, a café and nine Xbox and PlayStation 2 gaming stations.
The goal, said Bettencourt, is to create an atmosphere where teens are comfortable so they can listen to the church's teachings with less apprehension.
"We try to preach a relevant message to a teenagers' lives," said Bettencourt. "The message is that God loves you and has a purpose in your life."
Future plans for the church include expanding the 65,000-square-foot sanctuary to accommodate 5,500 worshippers in three phases over 10 years. The sanctuary holds 1,000.
<b>WHAT</b>:Grand opening of Victory Family Church<b>WHERE</b>: Route 19, north of the Butler Auto Auction<b>SCHEDULED EVENTS: </b>• Grand opening for young adults ages 18 to 24, 7 p.m. today. Prize giveaways to include a Mac iBook, digital camera, and much more. This event is free.• Eggstravaganza and open house for the Cranberry Township community, noon to 3 p.m. Friday. Egg hunt is free for infants to children aged 11.• Easter services, 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.<b>INFORMATION: </b>724-453-6200 or www.lifeatvictory.com.
