Mega church opens its doors

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A massive church opened its new home in Southwest Austin on Monday.

Life Church sits on 68 acres off State Highway 71 near the "Y" at Oak Hill.

The sanctuary is just the start of a major development that won't be complete until next year. But it's still trying to win the hearts of surrounding neighborhoods.

Life Church Austin is thrilled to be in its new home.

"It's like little people came, like little fairies came a put the whole thing together so quickly.  I mean, it's amazing, it looks gorgeous inside," said Julia Tracy, a Life Austin Church member.

They've been operating out of Westlake High School's auditorium for the last 7 1/2 years.  But Pastor Randy Phillips had a bigger vision of a life resource center.

"We exist to help people in all three phases of their life.  body, soul, and spirit," Phillips said.

The worship center is just part of the master plan. Eventually, there will be hike and bike trails, and an amphitheater that seats 1,000 people, for concerts and the community of Life Church.

"We're going to be a resource to the arts community. There will comedy, there will be jazz.  It's going to be awesome," according to Phillips.

Surrounding neighborhoods haven't been so accepting, though. And they have fought the city of Austin on the permit process for the development. 

Phillips sees the concern.

"It's just natural for a neighbor to go ' holy cow -- Is this going to be rattling my windows? Is this going to be clogging up traffic?' Those answers are 'no'," he said.

He said the door is always open for anyone that wants to experience it for themselves.