Victory World Outreach has been ministering in Colorado Springs and around the world for 40 years. A unique ministry with churches in the US and in 10 different countries, Victory World Outreach has resided in its current building – a remodeled grocery store – for 27 years. In that time there has been no significant change to the main sanctuary. But in 2019, church leaders decided to modernize the AVL set-up with integrator and Elation Professional dealer Second Opinion Audio (SOA).
“With fluorescent lights an eyesore and our main worship space feeling dated, it was time to make some big improvements,” says Paul Jones, lead pastor at Victory World Outreach. Church leaders chose a flexible Elation lighting system to modernize and help grow the ministry. “Part of our decision behind doing a complete upgrade to the main auditorium was our desire to reach younger families,” Pastor Jones says. “Bob Langlois and Daryl Porter from SOA put together an AVL package and we loved what they came up with.”
SOA specified, designed and installed a state-of-the-art, all-LED Elation lighting system made up of Artiste DaVinci moving heads, DTW Par 300 variable white Par lights, WW Profile HP warm-white ellipsoidal spots, SixPar 300 LED Par lights with barndoors, and SixBar 1000 IP LED battens. Elation’s versatile Colour Pendant downlight, capable of fully blended projections of color or variable shades of white light, is used for house lighting, allowing the church to complement what is happening on stage whether it’s a church service, musical performance or special event. The entire lighting system is under the control of a compact Obsidian Control Systems NX2 console. A new 13' x 25' LED center screen, as well as side screens, were also added along with a new audio system.
“They hadn’t spent money on themselves in many years and wanted to do things to a high standard,” says Second Opinion Audio founder Bob Langlois. “The Elation lighting system and the LED video screens look and work great together and the audio system is concert quality. The color-changing Colour Pendant house lighting gives them the ability to color match what they do on stage into the audience. By doing color changing in the house, as well as on stage, it makes people feel more a part of the experience rather than a spectator. We’ve done this a few times now and it really does make the experience for the congregation a lot better.”
SOA often turns to Elation gear for installation projects and Langlois says his preference for the brand is driven by factors beyond price point and functionality. “More than that, Elation has always been great to work with and the service has been great,” he continues. “I can just pick up the phone and call Kraig [Elation Regional Sales Rep Kraig Knight] and he takes care of us. Elation is very accessible and we love that.”
Before the church could raise the funds for the AVL upgrade however, Pastor Jones says they wanted to create a model so that the congregation could see what they would be getting. “This prompted us to overhaul a second auditorium called the ‘Powerhouse’ with all new Elation Pendants and stage lighting.” A smaller version of the main room, the Powerhouse includes an Elation lighting system of front wash and back lighting, along with Colour Pendants for house lighting.
“The Colour Pendants, stage lighting, and Artiste movers were a game changer for our services and especially for our Christmas presentations,” says Pastor Jones, adding that one of the biggest concerns people had with the new lighting system was whether they would still be able to see their Bibles, a worry that quickly evaporated. “Once the new lights were in, we heard one positive comment after another! The response was even better than we expected.”
The new AVL system debuted with a grand opening celebration of the main auditorium in September 2019. Used in weekly services and for additional on-stage performances, the pastor says it has made an immediate impact on attendance. “We doubled our services in the smaller room to accommodate the crowds and then went to double services on Sundays when we moved back into the new, larger auditorium. We immediately began to see more young families come in and there is an anticipation for our services. Thank you, Elation, for helping us communicate this great message of hope in Jesus Christ!”
For more information, contact Elation Professional at sales@elationlighting.com, toll-free at 866-245-6726 or visit www.elationlighting.com. For a free lighting design consultation for your House of Worship, email us at HoW_design@elationlighting.com.
For more information about SOA, visit www.secondopinionaudiollc.com.
For more about Victory Outreach Church, visit https://victoryworldoutreach.com/.
