SOUL CITY CHURCH

CHICAGO, IL

Amplio Systems helped Soul City Church, one of Chicago’s fastest-growing churches, create a powerful worship environment in the heart of the city.

Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens planted Soul City in Chicago’s West Loop in November 2010 with a vision to lead people into a transforming relationship with Jesus. Impeccable growth, especially for an urban church, would soon follow.

Five years, four weekly services, and multiple expansion projects later, the young church was quite literally bursting at the seams. The only ceilings and walls left were those required for structural stability. Even the overflow required overflow. There was nowhere to go but somewhere else.

In what the church deems an “Only God” moment, a neighboring plot of land became available in 2015 and dreams quickly converted to designs. Two years later, on November 5, 2017, the elegant, but efficient new space launched in tandem with the church’s seventh-anniversary celebration.

Easy math suggests by doubling the size of the room; Soul City could give its staff and volunteers a break by reverting from four to two services each Sunday. Score one against arithmetic.

Within three months of the opening festivities, the church’s capacity was already pushed beyond its limits. A third service returned in early 2018, boosting each weekend’s capacity to roughly 2,400 seated guests, not to mention those worshipping in the various overflow spaces.

Then there was Easter when over 3,100 attendees entered Soul City’s doors to celebrate the Resurrection, nearly a 2000% increase from the church’s capacity of 150 just seven years prior. The cherry on top? The church’s enhanced 25’ ceilings allowed for dramatic effects, including an aerialist and a massive veil demonstration on Easter.

As the church continues its path of exponential growth with nary an inch to expand, we’re excited to partner on whatever lies ahead. Stay tuned because the Soul City story has only just begun.

 

Units Used

L

Strategy

We conducted a Sunday Experience Evaluation with Soul City in April 2018.

L

Systems

We designed and integrated all audio, video, and lighting elements of Soul City’s new 800-person worship center in 2017.

Testimonials

“The great thing for us about working with Amplio is they work exclusively with churches.”

Chris Wheat

Chris Wheat, Director of Operations at Soul City

“The team was such a joy to work with. They were friendly. They entertained all of my questions. They were joyful.”

Sara Emmerson

Sara Emmerson, Creative Pastor at Soul City