Mark Driscoll announces new church opening date

The official opening of Mark Driscoll's new Trinity Church has been pencilled in for August 7, the former pastor of Mars Hill has announced in a video message.

Driscoll has been leading a congregation at the former Glass and Garden Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, over the last few weeks. 

In his latest video, reported by blogger Warren Throckmorton, Driscoll speaks of how renovation and alteration work on the church is progressing, including work to install modern sound, light and projection equipment.

In his video message Driscoll speaks of ambitious plans for a children's ministry and two services each Sunday morning. He refers to the more than 1,000 hours put in by volunteers at the church, saying: "You have ripped up carpets, you have painted walls, you have cleaned toilets, you are amazing!"

In a written message he says: "Thank you to everyone who has given of your finances, prayers, and service. It's amazing to see how much can get done when hard working people pull together for the cause of Jesus Christ!"

The Glass and Garden Church building, designed by architect E Logan Campbell in a style associated with Frank Lloyd Wright, was built 50 years ago with an adjacent drive-in church. It seats 1,400 people and has around four and a half acres of ground.

Driscoll's previous church imploded after revelations connected with his management style and closed at the end of 2014. He and previous leaders of the church are facing racketeering charges based on allegations they misled the congregation about the use of church funds.

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