NORTH S.L. ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH TRANSFORMS SPA INTO RELIGIOUS CENTER

The Abundant Life Assembly of God Church has undergone a metamorphosis during the past year, from the vacant and decaying Larry Scott health spa to a remodeled, freshly painted, bustling religious center.

The picture of the muscular athlete on the side of the building at 410 N. Main, which for years was a landmark on the three-acre site near I-15, has been painted over. Cracked walls have been refurbished and attractive landscaping has taken the place of tall, scraggly weeds.Inside, dramatic changes have also taken place. The spa's swimming pool has been filled in, and gymnasiums and locker rooms have been turned into a 150-seat chapel and auditorium. Walls have been torn out, put in and remodeled, and floors and ceilings refurbished.

The North Salt Lake City Council thinks so highly of the church's renovation that they recently awarded the church a top prize in a city beautification drive.

The Rev. Clive Shryer, who is the church's minister, said construction inside and out is still going on, and a great deal of work remains to be done. "Mostly, we wait on manpower and money," he said, smiling.

"The Assemblies of God, formed in 1914, is one of several church groups that form the present-day Pentecostal movement, which grew out of an international religious awakening in the late 1800s.

"The denomination now has more than 25,000 ministers and about 10,400 churches in the United States, with nearly 2 million members in this country and 10.5 million members overseas," the Rev. Shryer said.

The Abundant Life church started in Bountiful in January 1985, with six students from Trinity Bible College, Ellendale, N.D., under the direction of the Rev. Gary L. Royer, who was an unsalaried extension Trinity Bible College professor. They held their first meetings in Protestant church buildings, the Lindquist Mortuary and Servus Drug.

The students were soon joined by a few local Assemblies of God families who had been driving long distances to attend church. On Sept. 16, 1985, it was recorded that 130 people attended at least one Sunday service.

Today, the church has a congregation of more than 120, including 80 active members. It also has two offshoots. Grace Assembly of God Church, established in January 1986, meets in the Airport Holiday Inn, Rose Park, and Faith Assembly of God Church, established in September 1987, meets in Clearfield Community Church.

The Rev. Royer oversees all three churches and directs the work of the Rev. Shryer and the ministries of his brother, the Rev. Danny Royer, in Rose Park, and the Rev. Brad Dorsey in Clearfield.