Churches come in all shapes and sizes, and that diversity helps the gospel to reach all kinds of people. However, larger churches often have bigger production budgets. But Barrett Navarre, pastor at Wisdom Church in Moss Bluff, La., wasn’t willing to let the small size of his fledgling congregation limit his creative vision. So, he called AV systems designer Greg Stevens with Stevens AV to create a mega church production in his 130-capacity church auditorium.
When Stevens started the company in 2018, his vision was to specialize in non-traditional projects that required outside of the box solutions. This was the case for Wisdom Church, a growing church meeting in a suburban strip mall commercial unit. Stevens was contracted to install an audio system for full-band live worship as well as lighting and video production to create a ‘mega church feel’ in the intimate space.
The first step was to augment the existing system of LCD TV screens with a video wall to serve as a backdrop as well as to display song words and verses of scripture. For this Stevens supplied 28 of ADJ’s AV2X 2.97mm pixel pitch LED panels, arranged to create a 3.5m (‘11 “5) x 2m (‘6 “6) screen.
“For the video wall we were bidding against another supplier offering a significantly more expensive product. But when compared side-by-side the AV2X offered the same pixel pitch and brightness while coming in within the church’s budget, so the decision was a real no brainer,” Stevens says. “I think the AV2X is a fantastic panel – especially considering the price point – and it has proved to be the ideal choice for this project. Not only that, ADJ provides solid support which is also very important. Mike Turner [ADJ’s Regional Sales Manager in the area], came down to help us commission the installation and to provide hands-on training. He also stayed to attend the first church service using the wall to make sure everything went smoothly. The support we’ve received from ADJ really has been second to none right from start to finish.”
Another consideration in the choice of video panels was the church’s plans to install a broadcast-quality video system to stream services online. Stevens says the AV2X’s video-friendly flicker-free operation made it ideal as a backdrop for video capture of sermons and worship sets, either for live IMAG or external broadcast.
For audio, Stevens and his team had to think creatively to deliver a system suitable for the full-band worship team while contending with the low 9’ ceiling height of the space. The solution was to install Nexo’s ID24 front-fill boxes as the main PA, paired with two Nexo subs all driven by a Nexo NXAMP4x1 MK2 4-way digital controller and amplifier.
“Even though they are designed for use as infill in bigger systems, the ID24 boxes worked perfectly as the mains in this space,” enthuses Stevens. “Paired with the Nexo subs they sound like a big line array PA in this intimate room. The output is more than sufficient and can deliver well over 100dB – even A-weighted – and sonically the system has no trouble coping with the large worship band including drums, bass, electric guitar, keys and up to five vocalists. The small size of the ID24 also meant that we could mount them to the ceiling across the front of the stage without effecting line of sight to the stage.”
In addition to a beefy PA, Stevens AV also installed a full RF system both for mics and IEMs. Making use of Sennheiser’s G4 range, Stevens’ team fitted six 500 Series receivers paired with 935 capsules for vocals as well as five 300 Series stereo transmitters for IEMs. This extensive use of wireless audio helps to keep the small stage tidy. The use of IEMs for the full band also removes the need for stage wedges and therefore prevents the possibility of the monitor mix seeping into the main auditorium which can easily happen when a large band plays in a relatively small space.
Prior to Stevens AV coming on board, the church had invested in a modest lighting system comprising of six LED par cans mounted to a truss rigged in front of the stage. However, due to the low ceiling and their close proximity to the front, pastor Navarre told Stevens that they were shining directly into his eyes while preaching.
To solve this problem, Stevens and his team repositioned the truss further back in the room, extended it to 20’ and augmented the lighting with five of ADJ’s 5P HEX LED pars. Moving the lights back and spreading them out had the effect of creating a wider, more uniform and less intense coverage pattern, which prevents Pastor Navarre being blinded. Meanwhile the additional fixtures meant that this was achieved without a reduction in brightness.
The lighting is also enhanced by a pair of ADJ’s UB12H linear LED fixtures, which were something of an impulse purchase for Wisdom Church, as Stevens explains. “When Mike Turner from ADJ visited for the commissioning of the video wall he had a pair of demo UB12H fixtures with him and offered to put them out for the service. We positioned them under the LED screen pointing upwards to provide backlight for the worship band. Pastor Navarre liked the effect so much that he ordered a pair there and then!”
House lighting was also an area that Wisdom Church wanted to address. Prior to Stevens AV’s install, the room relied on regular fluorescent strips which were arranged in groups, but couldn’t be dimmed and only offered a stark white light. Stevens’ team installed eight of ADJ’s COB Cannon Wash fixtures recessed into the false ceiling. These now not only offer independent dimming control but also full color changing in addition to warm white.
The final piece in the puzzle of creating a mega church production in a small strip mall unit was the addition of an atmospheric generator. Stevens recommended ADJ’s Entourage tour-grade faze machine, which combines a regular fog machine – that uses inexpensive water-based fog fluid – with a powerful fan to create a thin light-enhancing mist.
“We wanted a machine that offers DMX control over density as well as output, so that we could achieve just the right effect in the room,” explains Stevens. “But I also liked the fact that the Entourage comes built in to a protective case. It just looks like a road case sitting off to stage right, so is inconspicuous, but is also protected if anyone accidently kicked it! The church doesn’t actually run the machine during their services. Instead they start it running beforehand to create an atmosphere as the congregation are coming in; this then hangs during the opening worship set but has about cleared ready for the message.”
Stevens concludes that using the right tools for the job, he and his team successfully created a system that is appropriate to the size and shape of the space while also realizing Pastor Navarre’s vision. Combining impressive visuals, atmospheric lighting and concert-quality audio, the completed project has achieved the church’s goal of bringing mega church production values to a small neighborhood church.
For more information about Wisdom Church, visit www.wisdomchurch.us.
For more information about Stevens AV, visit www.stevensav.com.