CHARLESTON, Maine — The Epic Center features panoramic screens and theater-grade lighting and sports multimedia capabilities.
Yet it was not designed for entirely secular purposes.
The 12,000-square-foot building, set to open Tuesday, will serve as the youth ministry center at Charleston Pentecostal Church. It may be the only church building of its kind in the state designed to minister to youth, senior pastor Matt Ward said Sunday.
For the congregation, the expansion was a necessity, he said.
Attendance among children ages 2 to 10 increased from 100 a week in 2007 to 175 a week in 2012, according to Ward. About 120 teens currently are involved in the church’s youth program, which has been using the church’s fellowship hall for several years.
“Charleston Church continues its strong emphasis on serving youth,” Walter Young, vice chairman of the church’s board of directors, said of the new center. “We’ve grown to the point that we’ve expanded our facilities.”
Ground was broken for the $680,000 center in September. Another $80,000 was spent to increase and upgrade parking areas, Ward said.
“It is especially cutting-edge for our area,” youth and music minister Paul Rogers said of the Epic Center. “We have a lot of technology to build up our teaching of the Gospel.”
The cost of that technology was about $100,000, he said.
It will be evident the moment parents walk through the doors to the new building. Computer touch screens will allow parents to check their children into the center. Information in the system will let staff know with whom a child may leave.
A similar safety system has been in place for several years but it used pagers and a mostly paper system, children’s pastor Kelley Bean, 30, of Corinth said Sunday.
Just as school teachers have traded in chalkboards for computer slideshows projected onto a screen, so Sunday school teachers have given up flannel boards for 21st century technology. The brightly painted rooms for children ages 2 to 3 and 4 to 5 both have projectors mounted to the ceiling that can be connected to laptops.
The heart of the center, however, is its 90-by-60-foot auditorium that will seat 425 people. At one end is a stage with a 32-foot high-definition screen above it.
The children and teens who attend Charleston Pentecostal Church and their nonchurchgoing peers are growing up in a culture that stimulates their senses in a way the founders of the church most likely never imagined, Rogers, 30, of Bradford said Sunday.
“If we flash images on the screen while we teach the Gospel, the lesson gets into their heart more,” he said. “We’re trying to incorporate as many things as we can to engage their senses.”
Bean and Rogers along with other staff write and perform in skits, plays and videos that are presented for and played to the children and youth. The Epic Center includes a construction shop for building sets and props with a green background painted in one corner. Using the green screen will allow them to use technology originally developed for film and television in their own videos.
The grand opening ceremony for the Epic Center will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The band Seventh Day Slumber will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
In addition, the church will hold a Family Day Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. A service of celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday.
For information, visit www.charlestonchurch.net.
So all of this was donated by the Parishoners? Tax Free work and materials, and of course all of the work must have been done free of charge by the parishoners as well right? I mean if a church is tax exempt from having to pay taxes on anything than all that is associated with it should also be tax exempt right?….Yeah i didnt think so either.
What point are you trying to make? Your comment isn’t clear.
My point is quite simple. I am tired of seeing Churches bully their parishoners into donating 10% of their dwindling pay while the cost of living rises daily to see ministers driving around in fance cars and living in huge mansions of houses, while others starve and are homeless. It sickens me that these people are allowed to constantly purchase things tax free when they spend so much money in the area and others are not allowed the same. I dont believe that God intended its pastor’s ministers and church heads to live so lavishly, sorry but i honestly feel this is wrong.
not every church is like that. my church meets in a rented multi-business building and the pastor drives an old chevy.
People have a choice where to spend their money, Jeff. Some of us spend it on eating out every week, some wish to spend it in the community of their chosen faith base. Takes all kinds to make the world spin. They’re just trying to meet the needs of a very high tech society where a one year old knows how to use an iPad. Need to keep up with a new generation. The beauty of America is, we can all choose where we wish to spend our money and time. :)
I agree with you Rebekia, but here is my problem. I keep hearing Church folks complaining about Gay people wanting to get married, and they say that gay folks dont deserve special rights, well isnt that exactly what church folks seem to be getting when they are allowed to be Tax-Exempt everywhere? special rights for a special group. I have no problem with anyone spending their money giving to their pastor, minister or down to the local casino, but i dont believe its right that a church gets away with pleading Non-Profit, when i have seen so many churches that cannot afford to fix a leaky roof, when families cannot afford to buy clothes or food for their kids, and yet Charleston has a brand spanking new addition, for only 175 people valued at near 3/4 of a million dollars and they dont pay a cent in taxes. How much does Ward pay for taxes on his house? Is he also exept there? I would wager a years pay and say he is.
The bottom line is that this past couple of years we have seen a huge division in the rights of people: rich vs poor, Corporations towards the Middle Class, Gay and Lesbians vs. Heterosexuals, even military vs. civilians, and lastly a return to racism down in Florida. In that big book that so many people praise and quote from on a daily basis i believe somewhere in there it says “Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself”. I dont know about you, but i dont see a whole heck of a lot of that going on anymore and it really saddens me. Thanks though for being polite and sharing your opinion. That is a far cry from what some people do on here when they disagree with you.
Actually, the bottom line is that the Bible is very clear about homosexuality- it is a sin. Period. I believe that Planned Parenthood also is tax exempt, despite the fact that they promote abortion in the case of unwanted pregnancy. The vast majority of Christians believe abortion is wrong, yet Planned Parenthood continues to enjoy its tax exempt status.
According to the bible, it’s also sinful to no contact with a woman during her “uncleanliness,” and it’s sinful to work on the Sabbath,punishable by death, as is blasphemy. Other sins include planting two crops in the same field (squash and corn, oats and corn) and wearing two types of thread in a garment (cotton polyester blend). Disrespectful and rebellious children should also be stoned to death by city elders(Deu 21).
And a Christian can walk into planned parenthood and get an abortion, can you say the same same for the same sex couple who walks into a church asking to be wed? So tell me which is the more open and accepting? The Bible isn’t the law of man, it isn’t the law of god, and it holds no sway over anyone unless they choose to allow it to. I love how the christians all say god is looking out for them, but I am willing to wager that they look both ways before they cross the street.
I understand your pov, Jeff. Division has been pretty clearly stirred up by the media and our political arena for the last 6+yrs. “Blame that guy. Look over there. Never mind the man behind the green curtain. Look at the evil churches. Look at the evil politicians.” Meanwhile we’re *all* getting robbed blind by officials playing a massive game of chess whom say they speak our voice in Washington and than live high off the hog day in and out.
The idea of churches being non-profit goes back to the fact that they are meant to serve a community. We could argue if this is the case with CPC, but I do know the church has a local food and clothing pantry I’ve donated my items to occasionally instead of GoodWill (feel like GW has changed a lot – and know the Corinth food pantry goes 100% straight to the community it serves).
As for the high tech new addition, they’re offering young teens and families with children an opportunity to experience concerts and technology they’d only be offered if they were wealthy enough to drive and/or live in Southern Maine or Boston.
Giving rural Maine kids a taste of the luxuries that city kids get (most times without appreciation) is kinda great!! It encourages bands and revenue to come up north for a change. It’s not unlike Bangor’s new Auditorium being built. We all chipped together as a town to build the Bangor Auditorium. We aren’t flaunting our wealth or trying to stick it in the face of the Bangor homeless shelter because we chose to have our tax money (or tithing in the case of the church) go towards the auditorium instead of a new homeless shelter. We just want to offer the town shows and entertainment the 21st century is providing..and you can’t do that if your building is behind the times and limited technologically. :/ It’s all about choices and balance.
A couple things… I know for a fact that this church does not bully people into giving money. You don’t know what kind of car the pastor drives or how he lives, unless you know him personally (which I do). The article is about a youth center – not his house! This church is doing TONS of things for the community, not the least of which is running a food pantry, providing lots of meals for people in the area, and all sorts of other things to benefit the families in their area. And now, they will have a modern way to reach out to kids and teens and keep them off the streets doing drugs. Yeah, I can see how that’s a bad thing…
In terms of the tax-free issue, the church itself is allowed to purchase things tax-free, but pastors and people that attend are not. A pastor can’t go out and purchase a car tax-free – they pay taxes on their income just like the rest of us. Please try not to make such broad generalizations without actual basis or facts behind them.
I like beans and rice just fine. People who go to the type of church he describes often don’t want things any other way. He makes it sound like they are all bullied or duped into it. Some of them just aren’t comfortable being around the poorer folks. If they actually give 10% of their income they are usually okay with that because it’s sort of like country club dues to them. I mentioned beans and rice because I’ve been active in churches that couldn’t afford much more than that, but we went ahead and fed a busload of hungry people every Sunday evening just the same.
Yep, it’s the old Jim and Tammy show revisited.
Change is good, and modernizing the church experience is an excellent way to make it interesting and exciting for all. Those that might complain about the cost, might want to consider how much a traditional stone and mortar church would cost to construct today.
Why shouldn’t it be tax free? It’s a church.
so what, what makes a church above paying for their “business” lets face it, that is really all it boils down to. worshiping God is not about the cost of the church, it is what is in a person’s soul.
Congrats Charleston Pentecostal Church on your new building and youth outreach center….. may God bless your ministries as you continue on in the work of the Lord…..
I don’t often agree with you but Amen!
Get them while they’re young, and you may have a believer for life. Young minds are more pliable.
hmm. you feel the need to attack others based on their beliefs. perhaps some personal insecurities you would like to share?
Why else would anyone be attacked except for their personnal beliefs? “Personnal insecurities” because a religious belief is being questioned? Is that a personnal attack? My guess is OtherMainah has a right to question anyone’s belief.
If one wants to question somebody’s beliefs that is their right. However, it could be done in a respectful manner.
I simply said that this article is about perpetuating a myth … thin-skins abound, it seems! And, no, VeazieDavid, no “personal insecurities” to share. I left those behind when I walked away from the myth many years ago and never, ever felt the need to look back. Sorry you felt the need to flag my comment, but it is a first! :-)
It was a given that hurts and anger from past church experiences would surface in the comments on this article. Happy to see even in Maine we can have churches with enough vision to recognizes times are changing, and methods must as well. Wherever you fall on the matter of religion and church involvement, the bottom line is our world would be must worse off without our local churches. It is sad to see those that are dying slow deaths because they choose to stay in the past, following old ways.
Matt Ward and all of the leaders/parishoners at Charleston that I know personally are CLASS ACT people. They don’t just talk,they do!! They help 100’s of people who are less fortunate rather than sit on their can and sit in judgement and whine about the problems of the world With crime reaching into younger people today,I think it’s great to offer alternatives.I suspect whether is was tax free or not that they would still give and build for their future, especially eternity. I personally don’t go there to church but my Dad does. I go to a smaller church and I give MORE than 10% because I WANT TO, and I’m not bullied. Scripture is clear about that. I also give money to people I see around me that really need help with discretion. Only God and I know what I give. When I die,The Lord will reward me for what I did or didn’t do. True Christians who understand the Scriptures know this. Other people who sit on the sidelines and judge through a blog definitely show their character too. Be careful how YOU judge people. Lest you become judged! As far a s a myth, Othermainer, you obviously have never studied the Scriptures because Atheism is as much a myth as you think Biblical Christianity is. You can neither PROVE there is no God any more than you think we can prove there is one. I pray that God will open your eyes. ” You will find me if you search for me with all your heart” – Jeremiah 29:13. :)
I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up — they have no holidays. -Henny Youngman
I used to attend Charleston Pentecostal church with my family…The second I left my husband they wouldn’t even speak to me. I called them many, many times pleading for help, even telling the pastor numerous times (on his voice mail) that I was suicidal and guess what? They wouldn’t even return my calls!! That’s when I saw them for what they truly are and I assure you..It’s not pretty! They turned their backs on me when I needed them the most!! Thankfully I confided in a friend that I wanted to take my own life and he helped me. The Charleston Church is far from godly. As a matter of fact..The entire experience made me the Atheist I am today!!
Wow. That’s horrible. I’m glad you’re okay.
Thank you Seaglass <3 It really WAS horrible.
At least they now have a nice new theater to perform their theatrics because they are definitely a bunch of actors!
I completely agree. My mother was a single parent and college student, while we attended Charleston Pentecostal. At some point, they felt my mother was spending too much time at school, and the judging began. She knew many branches of the Pentecostal faith pretty much call for their women to be completely subservient to their men, and/or barefoot and pregnant, but she didn’t expect the treatment she received from Charleston. She was called a neglectful mother and a whore by several parishioners, and some went so far as to call DHHS to report her. After a lengthy battle, DHHS conceded there was no basis for the accusations. My mother was on welfare and trying to do everything in her power to provide a better life for her son, but all she got was judgement and a closed door in her face. Now, my mother is a successful business woman, with a degree, who fights for women’s rights.
That’s SO wonderful what your Mother has gone on to accomplish. Especially in light of all the obstacles the church put in her path. You nailed it right on the head. The treatment your Mother and I received was solely because we weren’t being the subservient, dutiful wife that the church felt we should be. As long as you follow the rules as they see them..They LOVE you!! The minute you don’t, you’re treated worse than a leper. When I attended The Charleston Church they acted like they really cared about me but it turns out what they really cared about was the money my husband earned and getting their cut. They knew where the money was coming from.
It still boggles my mind to this day how they could get up there and preach about God’s unconditional love and acceptance yet be the biggest hypocrites of all. If they truly were loving, caring and godly Matt would have counseled me when I experienced some rather devastating life events in a short period of time. I won’t even go into the combination of events that precipitated my feeling suicidal (why give people like budd55 the opportunity to mock someone who has been through what I have) but his mentality is pretty common at that church. I was doing all I could to NOT take my life for the sake of my children thus my reaching out to at least 4 senior members of the church and not one of them would take my call or even return it even though I’m begging on their voice mails to save my life for the sake of my 3 children..The church apparently didn’t care if I lived or died but to not care if my children lost their Mother or not is less than Godly… It’s EVIL!
How can a rejection of your belief be a myth? I’m not claiming to know all the answers, but that doesn’t mean I need to buy into the idea that a supernatural being is responsible for everything. And you are right…I can’t prove there is no god, but as I am guessing you have heard many times before, it is not the atheist that has the burden of proving something they think doesn’t exist. And every atheist does not think alike. I personally don’t care what the church does with it’s money, and I commend them for helping those in need and offering a place for young people to go.
I commend you for looking past theological differences and commending the church for the building. Smart.
The pastor comes across as a decent human being on his faith minute on the telly, creative and welcoming. Looks like his church is coming along nicely, and he is leading a growing church. That’s more than can be said for many churches.
The thing is, many non-believers have studied plenty, and we reject not only Christianity, but all religion, and for valid reasons. It fails to convince. We recognize the attractiveness of religion’s promise, but reject promises we see as empty.
That is not saying religion fails utterly! There are many beautiful churches, mosques, temples, built with wonderful architecture…glorious art has been produced, and museums are filled with it… poignant music stirs our emotions…
…bottom line is if it helps you through your journey, and actually works on you, then power to you, and may you be filled with peace and not wrath.
To the brave adventurers who choose to go it alone, and without faith, I raise my glass.
Way to go! Jesus’s teachings in action. He was all about building grand temples and ignoring the sick, hungry and homeless.
I don’t think this church is ignoring the sick, hungry and homelees. Many people in this church are reaching out to these people in the community – its through Gods power and glory that they are able to accomplish all that they are accomplishing.
What have you done today?
And what exactly is it to you????????? You people who snipe at any and all things religious get tiresome. Did they ask you for any money? Did they tell you how to spend yours? Furthermore, you ought to try reading the Old Testament- it paints a very detailed description of the ornate temples built to honor and worship God, including the precious metals. I know for a fact that the Charleston church has a very active outreach program to help those in need.
The old testament also says that if you wear two different kinds of cloth you should be stoned. Do you just pick and choose what you want?Beware,Jehovah does NOT LIKE THIS AT ALL…..
Donate an hour or two at the Community Center in Corinth and see if you still feel the same way.
“Give a man a fish and he eats for the day … teach the man to fish and he eats eternally”
You will find most church doors to be open when others are not. THIS is where God is …. THIS will be the way that the hungry will be fed ….
Yes, kind of like the story of Henny Penny. The doors look open and welcoming, until you get inside and they find out who you are. I have been to that church, and I was not welcomed. Didn’t seem like as much of a Godly place, as it did a judgmental place.
Couldn’t agree more! $100,000 would have fed a lot of the hungry. This effort seems designed to impress whom? Certainly not Jesus. I don’t think He is really into mega churches and glitz.
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Seems a little cult-y.
Any church is a cult, that is what religion is.
Not all qualify for the definition, but these pentecostal/evangelical/fundamental ones pass with flying colors.
Ah, the joys of Profitantism. Oh, I meant Protestantism.
Did they ever get high speed internet in that town?
Jehovah does not like “state of the art technology”.
Thank god I’m not religious!!!!
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That’s a lot of money for a place that may teach youth to dislike some of their neighbors.
Sorry, but a facility in Charleston (!) named ‘The Epic Center’ is unintentionally pretty funny.
It’s like Epcot Center, only smaller. Part of the MadAve advertising that’s so needed by these places.
Wow! I read a lot of Satan in these comments
Assuming an architect designed the building…who was it?
I went to HCI in Charleston and it’s very hard for me to realize there is so much wealth in that area to afford such a church. It is out in the middle of nowhere. I mentioned once about going to school in Charleston to a young relative, this was after 95 was built. She said there is a town of Charleston? On her way to Presque Isle she breezed right through on 95 never knowing there was a town of Charleston.
If i believe in fairy tales too then how come i have to pay property taxes and they don’t