Worship Center church family has a distinct purpose in reaching people – to help individuals find their purpose in Jesus and what He is asking them to do. We do this by creating environments where people can experience God and all He is, grow together in discipleship and in leadership, and serve our world.
Worship Center began with 30 people gathering for the first time on March 20, 1977 at the Sheraton Conestoga Hotel. Though we came from different backgrounds and traditions, we had a desire to worship God freely and to see Him change people's lives in this region.
This group began to grow, and the need for a pastor quickly became evident. Sam & Sherlyn Smucker were invited to pastor the congregation, and after graduation from RHEMA Bible Training Center in May 1977, they trusted God and stepped into this role.
In 1978, the congregation relocated to the Lititz Recreation Center. It quickly filled to capacity, and a second service was added. Shortly thereafter, Worship Center purchased a 10-acre farm on New Holland Pike and dedicated it to the Lord in an open-air service. During this service, the church family gave sacrificially and creatively to this purchase. A farmhouse on the property was relocated, and construction began on the first structure - the current auditorium/gymnasium. Modular units were also purchased to house children's ministry. The facilities were dedicated to the Lord on February 1, 1981.
That September, Living Word Academy opened its doors to 80 students, grades K-6. A grade was added each year after that until it became a full K-12 school. In 2010, LWA merged with Lancaster Christian School to become Lancaster County Christian School, a 2-campus, Pre-K - 12 Christian school utilizing Worship Center's current facility for preschool-Grade 5, and Grades 9-12.
In 1982, Worship Center purchased an additional eight acres of land, and a new expansion project began with a groundbreaking ceremony. The west wing was constructed for children's ministry and additional classrooms. By 1985, the east wing was added to the facilities. Construction on the three-floor front lobby section began in 1986 and was completed the following year. The last building project Worship Center completed was in 1997 with the addition of the south wing, housing classrooms and the LWA lobby. In 1998, God opened the door for us to purchase the 94-acre horse farm to our south and a 20-acre parcel of land to our west.
All this was taking place because God was adding to our numbers and increasing our capacity to minister, to love, and to reach people. New ministries were birthed where people would experience God and discover His plan for their lives. The mandate to reach the whole world was realized and pursued; small groups were established and became our method of relationship building and pastoral care; and Bible schools, weekend classes, and support ministries continued to connect people to the heart of God.
In 2010, WC completed and moved into its current 106,000 square-foot church facility. Ministries are constantly changing with the ebb and flow of today's culture, but the message of the Gospel of Jesus is timeless and unchanging. One thing that is sure: Worship Center will continue its mission to help people discover their destiny by experiencing God, growing together, and serving our world.
