From Deseret News archives:

Reel place of worship

Rock Canyon holds services in movie theater

Published: Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 12:29 a.m. MDT
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Local LDS Church members told the magazine that they had plenty of negative actions and attitudes to apologize for, too. Friendships between the two churches developed.

These days, the church takes advantage of the rich speakers in the movie theaters. They project Bible verses and lists of people for whom to pray on the silver screen.

Theater 11 is the prayer room, where people can offer up their own and others' intentions, as well as receive communion. Theater 12 is the meetinghouse for Club K.P. (Kidz Prayz), a high-energy, multimedia interactive church experience for youths, organized by the Rev. Jackson's wife, Marlys Jackson, who is trained as a teacher. And in Theater 16 at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. are services for adults.

Kim Palmer, a Rock Canyon Church member for 5 1/2 years, recalls her reaction as the plans unfolded to move from the church on Canyon Road to the movie theater at the mall.

"At first I was a little reserved," she said. "After we moved, though, it's been great. ...

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"The benefits are for people who don't want to go to that traditional building. Maybe they've been burned in the past. They've had some past experience, and that's all they can think of (when thinking about church). Now, they can get their needs met in a spiritual way. That, to me, is a big plus. We see new people every week."

The future of Rock Canyon Church may include owning a physical building again, but not a traditional church.

The church has embarked on a campaign to raise $300,000 in 90 days to purchase a space that would have offices and meeting rooms for youth groups and Bible studies.

It also would have restaurant space.

"We want to open a bistro," the Rev. Jackson said. "It would be open during the week. We would bring in different groups from the colleges (to play music) and create a place where people can come together and work through some of the assumptions and perceptions we have of each other."

A place to convert to Rock Canyon Church it would not be. Rather, church leaders envision, "Starbucks meets BYU Creamery."

"If I take my friends out who are LDS, if I go to Starbucks, it's pretty slim pickings," the Rev. Jackson said. "If I get ice cream with them, there's no coffee."


E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com

Recent comments

As a member, whom has moved away, I can speak first-hand, regarding...

SallyR | Nov. 4, 2007 at 8:31 p.m.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saitns who...

Rebecca | Nov. 3, 2007 at 6:43 p.m.

I think what Rev. Jackson and his church does is amazing. May God...

LDS Fellow | Nov. 3, 2007 at 9:10 a.m.

Image

A band performs during Rock Canyon Church worship services at the movie theater at Provo Towne Centre. The church leases theater space each Sunday.

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