ANAHEIM – A sprawling building once devoted to the science of flight was rededicated Sunday with another reach-toward-the-sky purpose: as one of the largest churches in north Orange County.
Eastside Christian Church paid $20 million for the former Boeing site and an additional $35 million to replace the office cubicles and test floors with concert lighting, a thundering sound system and 1,800 seats. The building reopened with a prayer – “Do mighty works in this room.” – and a pastor’s promise.
“Friends, there will only ever be one sign on the door at this church,” senior pastor Gene Appel told the congregation on Sunday, with almost every one of those seats filled. “It’s this,” he said as he held up a welcome mat.
And then he announced another expansion. The church plans to launch a Spanish-language ministry in the spring, led by Mexican rock musician-turned-preacher Hector Hermosillo.
Eastside has seen explosive growth in the past few years that helped push it from its longtime home in Fullerton. Around 3,500 people now attend its services on an average weekend.
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