How Georges River Life Church Transformed Their Worship Experience with AV Technology

In today’s digital world, churches are finding new ways to use audiovisual (AV) systems to connect and engage with their congregations. At Georges River Life Church, a historic Baptist church in Sydney, Australia, a recent AV upgrade centered around the Roland V-160HD switcher has taken their live video production to the next level. This setup doesn’t just look professional, it enhances the entire worship experience, bringing the congregation together in a seamless, engaging way.
If your church is considering a similar move, here’s a peek into how Georges River Life Church made it happen.

What’s a Video Switcher, and Why Does It Matter?

Let’s keep it simple: a video switcher blends multiple video feeds into one smooth output. Imagine being able to seamlessly move between live camera shots, pre-recorded content, and lyrics or graphics, all while keeping the congregation focused on the service—not the tech. That’s what the Roland V-160HD switcher does for Georges River Life Church, helping them enhance message delivery and deepen the spiritual atmosphere.
For Georges River Life Church, the V-160HD is more than just tech gear, it’s a way to make worship more engaging for everyone—whether they’re in the building or watching from home.

A Historic Church Embracing Modern Tech

Founded in the 1920s, Georges River Life Church has a long history in Sydney. Since moving to their current location in 2011, they’ve continually embraced technology to keep their services relevant and accessible. Every Sunday, they hold two main services, plus a youth service on Friday evenings. While every service is recorded, live streaming happens about every other week, depending on volunteer availability.
Their AV setup includes three JVC PTZ cameras, a Blackmagic Ursa 4.6K manned camera, an Apple TV feed, Pro Presenter software, and visually rich backgrounds played from HyperDecks. And tying it all together? The V-160HD, which combines these sources into a smooth, watchable experience that helps the congregation focus on the message and music of every service.

Volunteers Make It Happen

At the heart of the church’s AV setup is Jeremy Alysandratos, the lead volunteer who trains others and directs the AV team. Because the V-160HD’s interface is intuitive and easy to use, Jeremy discovered he can teach newcomers how to operate it in minutes. This ease of use means anyone on the team can confidently produce a high-quality mix for live or recorded services—even if they’re quite new to AV.

The Power of One-Button Control with Macros

One of the coolest features of the V-160HD? Macros! These are custom-programmed sequences of actions that happen with a single button press. For Georges River Life Church, macros simplify complex transitions, like switching from a full-screen camera shot to a side-by-side view with lyrics or adding a picture-in-picture effect.
Thanks to macros, even novice volunteers can create professional-looking transitions, making every service flow smoothly

Taking Control to the Next Level with Stream Decks

Georges River Life Church didn’t stop at the switcher. They also added two Elgato Stream Decks, programmed with Companion software by BitFocus. These Stream Decks make it easy to control PTZ camera angles, trigger macros, and control Pro Presenter software—all from a single control panel. It’s streamlined, efficient, and lets the team handle multiple tasks without being overwhelmed.

iPad Monitoring: A Flexible Tool for Volunteers

The V-160HD’s iPad app has also been a game-changer for the church. With multiview monitoring and macro control at their fingertips, volunteers can keep an eye on multiple sources and trigger transitions right from a tablet. It even provides the potential for one volunteer to focus on controlling the live-stream mix, while another handles the main screen output, giving them the flexibility to manage even complex productions with ease.

Customized Audio and Video Mixing with AUX Busses

One of the latest upgrades to the V-160HD includes extra AUX busses for both audio and video, allowing for advanced “mix-minus” capabilities. This feature is especially handy for creating tailored audio mixes when guest speakers join via Zoom. It’s these small but powerful tools that help Georges River Life Church deliver an exceptional worship experience, even for remote participants.

A Welcoming Community Enhanced by Technology

Looking Ahead

For Georges River Life Church, the Roland V-160HD switcher has been a game-changer. Its intuitive interface, macro capabilities, and integration with tools like Stream Deck and iPad apps have transformed their AV operations, allowing them to create an engaging, professional worship experience every week. As more churches look to enhance their services with video, Georges River Life Church offers an inspiring example of how the right technology can make a powerful impact.
Are you inspired by their setup? Think about how similar tools could help your church build connection and engagement. And remember, technology doesn’t have to be complicated to make a difference—it just needs to work for your team and your congregation.