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Victory@Liberty plans Easter Sunday services at Liberty High School
By LINDA M. LINONIS
LIBERTY
Love given unconditionally and a feeling of being in a safe place rank as two pivotal factors in the growth of the Liberty campus of Victory Christian Center.
Pastor Lock P. Beachum Jr. said the congregation of about 500 people has outgrown its 230-seat site at 114 E. Liberty St. for worship services.
Though there is usually room at the 8:30 a.m. service, the 11 a.m. worship “is at capacity and there often are people standing,” he said.
Multigenerational, multicultural and from all social and economic levels describes the congregation, he said.
Beginning on Easter Sunday, Victory@Liberty will conduct services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the Liberty High School auditorium, 1 Leopard Way. The church is leasing the space with 750 seats.
“I think the move to the high school will contribute to our growth," the pastor said. “Leasing space at the high school is temporary. We’re looking for a property here. We will build or renovate,” Pastor Beachum said, adding that the church already has seen some options.
Last year’s Easter service was at Stambaugh Auditorium.
The Liberty campus of VCC was established in June 2008 with Beachum as pastor.
Previously, he spent about 31/2 years as a pastor on staff at the main campus of VCC in Coitsville, where Bishop David and Pastor Kathie Thomas minister. Pastor Beachum said he views the two as his spiritual mentors and credited them for having faith in him to lead the Liberty site.
While Sunday services will be at the high school, Pastor Beachum said the current site will continue as a multipurpose building for church activities.
Pastor Beachum’s wife, Gloria, describes herself as his “helpmate.” She leads a women’s ministry, Diamonds in the Rough, and arranges for various speakers. She also is involved in the intercessory prayer group that meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays.
“We pray for needs in the church and nation,” she said.
Pastor Beachum credited “an atmosphere that is conducive to all ... a foundation of love ... in Jesus” as being a strength at the church.
“The church is about vision ... there is tremendous momentum and attention to what we do in the community,” he said.
That energy also brings people from the Shenango Valley and Cleveland to services.
The church is active inside and outside its walls.
Pastor Beachum said Victory@ Liberty will give a $2,000 scholarship to an East High School graduate starting this spring.
Next year, the church will give another scholarship for a city school graduate to attend Youngstown State University.
The youth ministry involves 13- to 18-year-olds, who meet at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Supervised by youth pastors, the group is involved in spiritual activities along with community events.
There also is a men’s ministry that meets for monthly breakfasts and outings and a group for those 55 and older.
Operation Impact encompasses wide-ranging activities to involve members and benefit the community. These activities, past and present, include back-to-school outreach with giveaway of school supplies, backpacks and free haircuts for girls and boys, Buddy Walk 2015 as sponsor for the Down Syndrome event in Boardman, Christmas community outreach in Green Acres neighborhood, Heart Reach Ministries, Inspiring Minds, gas giveaway, Volney Middle and Discovery at Kirkmere schools in Youngstown, home game meals and pre-season meals for football teams at East and Liberty high schools, Liberty schools teacher and student of the month program, North Side pool event to pay for the first 200 children to swim and provide refreshments, sponsorship of Pretty Girls Inc. father-daughter event, The Basement Outreach in Warren, Needle’s Eye, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Shop with a Deputy and its Christmas program for children, YSU Day of Kindness by providing a free lunch, YMCA outreach to help families at Christmas and Thanksgiving giveaway to help 150 families with a complete meal.
Next week, the church will have a staff appreciation event at 20 Federal Place, Youngstown.
“All these show the love of Jesus outside of the walls of the church,” Pastor Beachum said of activities.
“We want to focus on mission of hope ... and be encouraging, strengthening and compassionate.”
Pastor Beachum said a church saying is “Come as you are but you won’t stay as you are.”
He said he believes the Bible-based messages will transform people spiritually, mentally, physically and financially.
“I believe people will be empowered through the message and be able to understand and make it applicable to their lives,” he said.
“The message is of hope.”