Storms stir up a lot of problems. Yet, earlier this year God used an ice storm to stir up a solution for our church. And because of this, we have a better location for our church to gather at Eastside Christian School.

Our youth are growing up in a complex world. This is why we significantly invested in our Youth Outreach Ministry, which is called, 'Casa Monarca,' so that the youth in our community could find a safe place to grow and thrive with us.

“You have been instrumental in helping to turn my life direction back to Jesus. I can’t thank you enough for not giving up on me!” Receiving a text like this reminds me that God is transforming lives through our church.

Isaac and his family joined our church in 2021. I still remember when he asked his public school teacher to visit our church, and how after multiple invitations she felt that God was prompting her to pursue Jesus through our church.

God is working beyond what we can ask or imagine through Anthem Church. One way is through Alvin & Juana, who joined our church last fall to be prepared to plant a future church in the northwest.

“Kids need to be kids in our busy, and complex world.” Vaughan shared this with me as he reflected on his motivation for ministry. When he was a kid, he did not feel safe at home, and needed a place to grow, which he found at a church.

Tracy moved here from China, and quickly fell in love with our church. She gave her life to Jesus so on September 3rd we celebrated her baptism. God has done an incredible work in her life, and so we wanted to share her testimony with you.

Last May I sensed God was changing our church. In response, our church body and some ministry partners came together to begin seeking the Lord in prayer, which leads me to this update.

Earlier this month 57 members of our church family spent a weekend together. Similar to a family vacation, this intentional and extended time did so much to create shared memories and to deepen relationships.

This note changed my view of success. In today’s fast-paced world of text messages and emails, just receiving a handwritten letter is extraordinary. What caught my attention was the author’s perspective of our church.

“When I looked around the room, I saw a bunch of outsiders like me.” A guest visiting our church plant in Upton, Wyoming shared this quote with our church planters to explain how needed this new church was in their community.

Just before Christmas, Grace told me that over 100 foreign-born residents were interested to learn more about our Adult ESL Outreach. For such a small church, God is accomplishing so much more than I could have ever imagined for our new church.

As a pastor of a new church, I can feel pressure to create the “perfect gift.” In other words, I want people to come on Sunday, and find their perfect church experience. While my intentions are good, the true gift of our church is not found in the programming, but in the people.

Katherine recently joined our church and immediately wanted to get baptized. She is the first to seek me out like this, and is not the last. A few weeks later, Jean asked me how to get baptized at our church. With the weather getting colder, I explained how the community center does not yet allow indoor baptisms. Katherine’s response was perfect.

We stepped into our second year as a new church this September! The Holy Spirit spoke to me through Psalm 77:19 to remind me how God has been in our midst, leading us every step of the way by His “unseen footprints.”

Sunday, July 17, 2022 marked a significant milestone for our church family. Not only was that day our largest gathering to date with 86 total people, including 34 guests, but we started meeting in our new location at the Crossroads Community Center.

Recently a local pastor asked me, “Looking back on this year, how have you achieved what you set out to do in starting this church?” Our ESL Outreach immediately came to mind.

How is this possible? This question continues to echo in my mind as I reflect on the most unlikely of circumstances. God is surprising us as we seek His will for our lives, and we are excited to share with you a new addition to this incredible story called, “Anthem Church,” that keeps getting better.

As the world comes to Bellevue, our city faces unique needs that our church is well-positioned to meet.

Serving in the City Manager’s diversity network has given me a significant perspective on the church’s responsibility to love our neighbors.