Pastor’s new church opens in old Amsterdam movie theater

PHOTOGRAPHER: Edward Munger Jr.

A faith community that got its start in its pastor’s parents’ home will present a Christian rock band concert this evening as part of a dedication celebration for its new, public location.

The Lord of the Harvest Church has moved from the Wilkes Avenue home of Pastor Mike Arbige to the movie theater on the second floor of the Riverfront Center.

Arbige, 25, an Amsterdam native, said Thursday he initially considered law school with plans to make a difference in the world, but then he got a calling and instead studied pastoral leadership at Liberty University in Virginia.

Since he began preaching the Bible to a fellowship in his parents’ home two years ago, the group has grown to about 25 regular worshipers during Sunday services, so he said it was time to move out.

“We also wanted to be out in the public,” Arbige said.

There are numerous opportunities to worship in the community, he said, but one primary focus sets The Lord of the Harvest apart: in-depth study of the entire Bible.

Arbige said he’s familiar with other faith communities where parts of the holy Christian text are read during services. At his church, they read the whole Bible.

“Like any other book, you wouldn’t just jump around. We should be reading our Bible every day,” he said.

Work to fix up the movie theater began Aug. 27 when church members built a platform in the cinema, and work like painting and decorating has continued since then.

All the seats are still there from when the Amsterdam Mall drew hundreds to check out a movie. Members took the old popcorn machine down, and the glass case that once held Mike & Ike’s and Milk Duds now features pamphlets, Bibles and Christian literature.

The Conservative faith community leader doesn’t shy away from speaking out on social issues and “wicked aspects” of culture which Arbige said includes pornography, abortion and homosexuality.

“Everyone is born a sinner,” said Arbige, who was ordained in November 2009 by The Rev. Dr. Jerry Lynn, senior pastor at the Reach Out Fellowship of Colonie, where the Bible is also taught “verse by verse.”

The church will begin its dedication weekend this evening with a 7 p.m. presentation by Christian rock band Theophilus in the sanctuary; refreshments and fellowship will follow. A dedication service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday featuring worship music, communion and line-by-line preaching from Arbige.

The church’s website is www.lordoftheharvestchurch.org.