Pastor Fred Neal of Lower Burrell seems to have a penchant for breathing new life into old churches.

Early last year, Neal found a home for his fledgling Redemption Church at the former and abandoned Hillcrest Alliance Church in Lower Burrell. Now, he and two other pastors are expanding their ministry for Friday night services at Lighthouse Fellowship Center in Buffalo Township.

Redemption Church is a Christian, nondenominational parish featuring sermons, live, contemporary music and activities for children and adults. Outreach is a major focus for the church group that previously operated out of New Kensington’s Knead Community Cafe and still supports the nonprofit community kitchen.

Since his inaugural Easter service in 2021 at their new Lower Burrell church with 60 to 80 worshippers, the flock has grown to 160 to 200 worshippers each Sunday.

There isn’t any one reason for Redemption’s growth, Neal said. It’s a combination of the religious message, the children’s ministry, live contemporary music, community outreach and other programs.

“We have a full kids’ ministry program from birth through high school,” he said. “A lot of churches can’t do that anymore because they lost young families.”

Community outreach resonates as well.

“We’re just trying to be active in the community,” he said. “People want to be involved in the church that is involved.”

The church recently worked with Knead Cafe on a movie night and a back-to-school event. The church offers reading and tutoring programs during school hours.

“Our sweet spot is the young family,” Neal said.

The community interest in the Redemption school and work with the community is appealing to Pastor Richard Shick, 91, pastor of Lighthouse Fellowship.

His country church nestled on a wooded, five-acre lot in Buffalo Township is a Christian nondenominational church rooted in the Pentecostal faith.

The addition of Redemption’s Friday night services is an opportunity for the fellowship, Shick said. Attendance has been down since the pandemic, he said.

“Because of my age, if something happened to me, I want the church to be teaching the gospel.

“The Lord put it there.”

Shick described Redemption as an active and loving church.

Redemption’s first Friday service is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 16. The fellowship will continue its Sunday services at the church.

Neal is excited about expanding Redemption’s ministry to the Buffalo Township area.

“We want to multiply,” he said.

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