A Fresh Foundation for Worship: South Hills Assembly of God

At South Hills Assembly of God, worship has always been about more than music or sermons. It is about creating a community where people encounter God together. Yet for years, an aging auditorium and outdated technology made that vision harder to realize.

“Our building is about 25 years old, and we hadn’t had any upgrades done to the sanctuary or sound system,” recalls Pastor Luke Walton. “We had crackling speakers, popping on Sunday mornings, and we were tired of walking in every week wondering, is this going to turn on? Is this going to work?”

The church needed more than just new equipment. They needed a partner who understood how technology could serve worship, not distract from it.

Choosing the Right Partner

After talking with several integrators, South Hills chose Fresh Tech because of the shared ministry background. Pastor Luke explained that the difference came when he realized the Fresh Tech team served in churches themselves. “We wanted someone who could identify our needs as a house of worship and understood what it meant to operate in a church sphere. Once we realized Fresh Tech had that perspective, we knew they got it.”

Transformation in Every Detail

Fresh Tech delivered a complete overhaul of the sanctuary, creating a modern yet timeless worship environment.

Audio was the top priority. At the heart of the system is an EAW KF210 line array with MKD526 front fills and under-balcony loudspeakers. Powered and processed through a Q-SYS platform, the system ensures consistent coverage and clarity across every seat. On stage, musicians now use Sennheiser G4 in-ear monitors with RF Venue distribution, giving performers natural, reliable mixes. At front of house, an Allen & Heath Avantis console provides both professional-grade capability and volunteer-friendly operation.

Video was also transformed. A ground-supported Taylorleds VE 2.6mm LED wall now serves as a central visual element for lyrics, scripture, and media. Paired with a Blackmagic Constellation 4 M/E switcher, the production team gained professional-level tools that support both creativity and reliability.

Lighting received a fresh look with Chauvet ÉPIX Strip Tours, Mega Lite SpotBots, and MW1 washes, all run from a Vista MV console. An MDG ATMe hazer provides subtle atmosphere, allowing beams of light to enhance worship without creating a smoky distraction.

Immediate Impact

The difference was obvious on the very first Sunday. Pastor Luke recalled, “There was clarity of the message. For the first time in a long time, you could hear every instrument and every voice coming from the stage. Even our choir, which we used to mute to avoid feedback, could finally be heard.”

The multi-generational congregation quickly embraced the change. “When something is done excellently, people don’t have room to complain. The impact was immediate, and people realized this was a much needed step forward.”

Engaging Worship, Week After Week

Beyond quality, the new system has brought reliability. Volunteers no longer spend their Sundays troubleshooting or swapping gear just to get through service. Instead, they focus on their gifts and leadership. Pastor Luke shared, “We went from operating off our back foot to being excited every Sunday. Now our team knows the system will work, and they can focus on leading worship and producing services that draw people in.”

Even the congregation’s participation has changed. With consistent audio and a tuned room, people are more comfortable singing out. “When we hit a big chorus, you can hear the voices filling the room. People are confident to engage, and that is exactly the environment we wanted to create.”

Built for What’s Ahead

For South Hills Assembly, this project was not just about solving old problems. It was about laying a foundation for the future. The combination of high-quality audio, modern visuals, and flexible lighting has given the church a platform for creativity and growth.

“This was really a launchpad for us,” Pastor Luke said. “It set the stage for what our worship can be, and it gives us room to keep dreaming.”

For Fresh Tech, the joy of this project came in delivering a system that works reliably every week while empowering a church to dream bigger for the future. South Hills now has a foundation that not only supports worship today but also opens the door to what comes next.