Centerpoint Pike Road multi-site location held its first official service on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the new Jim Wilson YMCA.  Upon arrival, attendees could immediately feel the Centerpoint atmosphere through the presence of green and white signage with Centerpoint logos, parking lot ushers directing traffic into the parking areas, and friendly greeters welcoming with an extended hand of fellowship.  Leading the Pike Road welcoming effort was the easily recognizable and new site pastor, Don Darling.   The new Centerpoint site is equipped with a spacious and vibrant, kid-friendly nursery.   The set-up crew did an amazing job of creating a warm and welcoming place for worship.

As guests found their seats, Pastor Don began the service with welcoming words and an opening prayer.  The worship team, led by Lewies van der Merwe, opened the service with the easily recognized Centerpoint song “Blessed Be Your Name.”  Although the facility serves as the YMCA gym during the week, modern technology transforms the area into an amazing worship facility with great acoustics and lighting.

The Pike Road site uses the latest digital video technology to broadcast Pastor John Schmidt’s message to the church.   John’s image broadcast on the big screen and his message seemed so real that worshipers applauded as if John were actually in the room when he welcomed Pike Road congregation.

Pastor Don gave closing remarks and offered to pray with guests as the worship team closed the service with “Awake My Soul.”   After dismissal, everyone chipped-in to help break down and put away equipment.  In a matter of minutes, the worship facility was made ready for weekly YMCA activities.