Turning Point Community Church Acquires Former Cinemark Movies 16 to Serve Growing Lubbock Community

Lubbock, TX – March 12, 2025 – After 35 years in operation, Cinemark Movies16 held its final showings on February 9, marking the end of an era for Lubbock’s once-prominent theater. However, the building will soon serve a new purpose, as Turning Point Community Church (TPCC) has acquired the space to accommodate its growing congregation and the city’s ongoing expansion.

JD Small, Senior Associate Pastor at TPCC, sees this as a strategic opportunity to prepare for Lubbock’s future.

“So over the next 10 years as housing grows and business grows, a lot of people don’t think about church growth,” Small said. “People are going to continue to move to Lubbock where they need a church home, so we’re just believing that God is positioning us to be a part of where Lubbock is growing in the next 10 years.”

In addition to providing more space for worship, the new location offers ADA-compliant accessibility, something the church’s primary campus lacks. Small emphasized the impact this will have on ministry opportunities.

“It was built that way by the movie theater decades ago and so what that allows us to do is to look at very unique ways to be able to help serve families with special needs and different things that they may need that our current campus can’t facilitate or remodel for,” Small said. “We’re looking at this location with opportunities for ministry that we never dreamed of.”

Ben Chavez, Generations Pastor at TPCC, shared his enthusiasm for using the space beyond just weekly services.

“With those changes, what we are specifically excited about is partnering with different areas of our city to dive specifically into needs and make the space available all week long,” Chavez said. “Our hope is these walls get to be used by people all over the city constantly and regularly.”

While Cinemark 16 is closing its doors, Small assured that some of its history will remain intact.

“In the first phase, we will probably touch about 60 percent of the building. We will (connect) three theaters into our sanctuary space, & will put in some kid's areas,” Small said. “We’re going to keep some of the theaters' space intact just so we can do special events there, show movies for our faith family, & our kids. We will do kids worship in those spaces and we will keep them just in case we want to do something with them.”

TPCC plans to complete renovations and hold its first church service in the new space by Easter next year, while its main campus at 11202 Quaker Ave. will remain open.

About Turning Point Community Church

Turning Point Community Church in Lubbock, TX, is dedicated to leading life change through intentional steps along a disciplined pathway: PLANT, ROOT, BUILD-UP & REPRODUCE. These farming rhythms reflect the community’s proud agricultural heritage and serve as a model for spiritual development and mission.

Contact Information:

Turning Point Community Church

11202 Quaker Ave
Lubbock, TX 79423
United States

Abby Reed
(806) 794-6987
https://www.tpcconline.com/