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Springfield, MO
James River Church is putting down roots in Joplin.
Kert Parsley, James River’s chief operations officer, said the church system is planning a September opening in leased space at the Victory Ministry & Sports Complex, a community center with event space, gym and activity area. Parsley said James River would lease the majority of the 70,000-square-foot complex — minus offices and counseling space — on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Parsley declined to disclose lease terms, noting the deal is currently an oral agreement. James River intends to lease the space for a year with options to renew for up to three years, he said.
“We’ve actually had a number of people who have been a part of James River Church who have moved down to the Joplin area,” Parsley said of the demand in the area.
Led by campus pastor Justin Jahanshir, the James River Joplin church will have an auditorium where 400-450 people can meet. Comparatively, Parsley said, the organization’s main church in Ozark seats 3,500, its west Springfield campus can hold 1,400 and its north Springfield campus can accommodate 900 patrons.
Parsley said James River will likely need a new campus within the three years of the lease agreement at the Victory Ministry & Sports Complex.
“We believe that sometime down the road, we will need our own facility in Joplin,” he said. “There’s quite a number of families in the Joplin area or just slightly east of Joplin.”
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