actionchurch at club19 – York, PA
- actionchurch began with an idea, an unlikely dream, a “church for people who don’t like church”.
- A place where everyone would be accepted.
- A place that cared more about doing good in the community, than looking good to the community.
- A place that would value transformation over information.
- A place that would always strive to put the teachings of Jesus into action.
History
Don and Michele Record began promoting the idea of actionchurch in the spring of 2007. They attended parties, became involved in community events and charities such as Relay for Life, and gave out thousands of cups of free coffee at the York Fair. By the fall of 2007 a handful of likeminded friends had gathered around the idea of starting a completely different kind of church…in a completely different kind of place…a nightclub/bar!
Many of the things that make actionchurch distinctive today came from this period. They convinced a group of (rightfully) dubious and hesitant nightclub owners to rent Fat Daddy’s Nightclub out to the church on Sunday Morning because it was the only place with suitable sound and lighting equipment that they could afford. They transformed the nightclub’s upstairs disco (complete with two bars, go-go cages, and a cigarette machine) into the first actionkidz children’s area. actionchurch had no denominational backing…no “start up budget”, and no real prospects of receiving any of the above. This lack of funding led to a very different way of doing church—inspiration comes from desperation. They built (with lots of duct tape) their own sets and equipment …fully utilized the club’s sound, lighting, and video systems, hired local rock bands to perform instead of creating a “worship team”.
On December 9, 2007 actionchurch held it’s first “Test Drive” service on Sunday Morning at Fat Daddy’s Nightclub. Seven Volunteers cleaned the club and set up the church signs and equipment. Thirty-five others came out to witness the beginnings of “church for people who don’t like church” in York County. On January 13th, 2008 actionchurch held it’s second and final “Test Drive” Service for a few more curious attendees…and two local news crews. The resulting buzz along with a few radio commercials and mentions on 105.7 the X allowed the new “church in a nightclub” to launch weekly services on February 10th with over 120 people attending that first service. actionchurch went on to form a great relationship and partnership with the entire staff and management at Fat Daddy’s nightclub and continued to hold Sunday Morning Services there until it outgrew the main bar area and moved to its current location at Club 19.
