Like many of you, the Peterson family is still learning how to live the “new normal” of a world affected by COVID-19. With so much of life being put on hold or even taken from us, how do we deal with this unwelcomed difficulty?

God has done what only He can do amidst the challenges of Covid-19 to start Anthem Church. I want to update you with the latest good news as our church plant enters a significant transition point this summer.

Paul described his experience of starting a church in 1st Corinthians 3:6 by writing, “I planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the growth.” Two things stand out to me: (1) Church planting is a team effort, and (2) We look to God to grow our church. God is providing Anthem Church with a team of faithful men and women, and I want to celebrate a few of their stories with you.

Who is Anthem Church? This week’s update will encourage you with three short stories about Grace, Rich, and Eloise to show you how God is at work in our new church.

Are you ready to move on from this past year? Much of the news and social media chatter sounds exhausted, longing for human contact and dreaming of a “new normal.” As we journey into a new year together, let’s learn from an Old Testament practice to orient our hearts towards God in 2021.

One of the most common questions we get is, “Where is the church meeting?” As we prayerfully considered a location that would give us the most outreach opportunities to serve our foreign-born residents, the City of Bellevue quickly became our strategic starting point. I wanted to explain some of the key reasons behind this decision in this email to you.

There are currently over 60,000 foreign-born residents in Bellevue from over 90 different countries. Of the estimated population growth of 15,000 in the next 15 years, it is likely that over 12,000 of them will be foreign born. Many are searching for God just like my friend from Bellevue College. By starting a new church that prioritizes the needs of our foreign-born residents, we can best address the increasingly diverse culture that is moving here.