Super Bowl XL proved to be a big game for the state of Pennsylvania as the hometown Pittsburgh Steelers won their first championship in more than 25 years.

Steelers’ fans everywhere celebrated the victory with fervor, but seven fans in particular rejoiced in an additional way that night.

Super Bowl Sunday 2006 was the day seven people accepted Christ during halftime at a football party at Venango Woods Church (VWC) in Seneca, Pa.

VWC Pastor Dan Sardinas employed a football theme to communicate the plan of salvation during a four-minute halftime mini-sermon. He reminded attendees of Super Bowl XXXIV during which the Tennessee Titans came up one yard short of a last-second, game-winning touchdown.

“How bad would it be if you were just one yard short of heaven?” Sardinas asked the crowd that included Venango Woods members and about 40 unchurched individuals they had invited to the party.

This was the third year for the Venango Woods Super Bowl party, but it is far from the only community-outreach activity the Purpose Driven model church takes part in each year.

“Servant evangelism is something we’ve really taken on in the last year,” said Sardinas, who came to the church in 2004 and began officially implementing the Purpose Driven structure. “We want to show people that we care.”

Since the church fully implemented the Purpose Driven paradigm two years ago, weekly attendance has doubled and the increase means more than just bodies in the pews.

According to the church, 58 percent of the church’s members are involved in a ministry. From the number of service projects in which Venango Woods participates, it isn’t difficult to find a place to plug in.

During 2005 alone, the church held a free car wash, military dinner, block party, and Super Bowl party. Members also came together to re-roof a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center as well as host a sports camp.

“It’s all about doing practical things to show God’s love,” Sardinas said, adding that the purpose statement of Venango Woods conveys that the church exists to reach people. He said church members have embraced that idea wholeheartedly.

“The community has taken notice,” Sardinas said. “Our church has become known as a church who does these types of things. People are so used to the church taking their time and money that they are shocked when we give them something they need.”

In addition to pursuing the mission purpose of the Purpose Driven structure, Sardinas said the church works hard to accomplish the other four purposes as well. Eventually, Venango Woods’ leadership hopes to hire pastors who will take responsibility for each purpose.

For now, the ministry leadership team, a group composed of lay leaders, is in charge of helping the church fulfill its five purposes.

The active small groups offered at Venango Woods are part of accomplishing these purposes, Sardinas explained. Forty-two percent of the church members participate in a small group, a fact Sardinas attributes largely to the success of three 40 Days campaigns the church has completed in the last two-and-a-half years.

Venango Woods went through 40 Days of Purpose with an interim pastor in late 2003 and participated in the campaign again in 2004 when Sardinas began his service there. During this past winter, the church took part in 40 Days of Community.

Perhaps most surprising about the abundant activity of Venango Woods and its members is that, until recently, the church operated out of a rented school. In 2005, VWC moved into its first purchased building and already has found ways to further impact the community. A girl’s softball league uses the church’s playing field and the facility has served as an election polling location.

One key to the church’s willingness to serve the community, Sardinas said, is the large number of new Christians that make up the church’s roster.

“These brand new Christians see the life-change and they know the difference Jesus can make for someone else,” he explained. “They really have a burden to go out and do these things.”

As the church continues to explore the opportunities its new facility makes possible, Sardinas said he hopes the community will keep noticing the activity at Venango Woods.

“We want to change the community,” he said. “We want to create a wave of enthusiasm for Jesus.”

Whether it takes Super Bowl parties, car washes, or special dinners, the members of Venango Woods Church know that “ministry is about serving God and serving people.”

All 2006 Church Health Award winner information is correct as of Jan. 1, 2006.