Brackenridge Pastor Nick Chybrzynski became a Christian at 15, well before he had a driver’s license or access to a car.
“I didn’t have a way to get to church in Springdale from my house in Natrona Heights so I walked, rode my bike or took a PAT bus,” said Chybrzynski, pastor of Generations House of Worship on Parkside Drive.
When he launched his ministry in 2015, Chybrzynski made it his mission to make religion accessible to as many people as possible.
“We believe that we are not called to do life alone,” he said. “We can’t. We need community, and we need covenant relationships.”
His church will launch its branch campus Sunday in Lower Burrell.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and services kick off at 6:30 p.m. in the Hillcrest Shopping Center in the space that formerly was Burrell Community Church.
“It’s an awesome opportunity,” life group director Kelsie Kresson said.
She and her husband, Brandon, who have been with the church since 2018, will share duties as campus pastors.
“We feel it’s an awesome opportunity to bring the light of Jesus and hope to the world,” she said.
Generations’ new space seats about 350 people.
Leaders said the Lower Burrell facility is meant to bridge the distance gap for people who love Generations’ style of service but feel it’s too far to get there in person.
In Brackenridge, church features a live band, loud music, a coffee bar, life groups, children’s programs and other nontraditional amenities.
“You know people from our area don’t always like to cross bridges,” Kresson said. “This is our way to reach as many people as possible.”
Chybrzynski said Generations was birthed with a clear vision to bridge the generational gap at home and at church.
“We are passionate about being an all-ages, all-nations church,” he said.
“To do what we are called to do, we can’t just bridge the generational gap, but we have to bridge the distance gap.
“There are so many people in the greater Pittsburgh area that have never experienced God in a way that made sense of the Bible, of why we go to church.”
Chybrzynski said the new campus is meant to complement, not compete with, an already great slate of churches in the Burrell area.
“There are more people than those churches can hold and care for,” he said. “And while most of us are preaching the same message, we do it in different ways.
“More healthy, life-giving churches in a community can help someone find the right place to call home. We want to see people go deeper than Sunday attendance.”
Kresson and others will grow programs at the new site to include a children’s ministry for newborns through elementary-age kids, and a full-time daycare throughout the week.
Coffee will be served courtesy of Curly Tail Coffee in Kittanning And people who love the worship music won’t miss out — there will be a live praise band.
“Generations longs to carry our core values to the hearts and homes of those around us,” Chybrzynski said.
“Everyone is welcome,” he said. “Come be a part of it and experience our services for yourself.”
