Posted: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 6:00 pm
One of the great privileges of being a student at Northwest University is the abounding opportunities to be involved in campus life. From ASNU to campus ministries, dorm life to life groups, and the weekly fun events planned for students—all provide a way for NU students to be a part of a strong faith community and build life-long relationships. As students at NU, we are offered friendships, mentorships, serving opportunities, and spiritual life growth on a silver platter right here on campus.
Based on this reality, it can be tempting to conclude that since so much is offered on campus, there is no need for us to reach outside of the walls of our school and attend a local church. However, failing to engage in a local church community outside of school is not only a disservice to our personal faith, but to the faith community of NU.
“Being a part of a local, worshiping community has been a non-negotiable practice since the dawn of our faith,” said Christian Dawson, NU Associate Campus Pastor. “Israel came together to learn the scriptures and worship, Jesus went to synagogue, and the early church was called to not forsake the gathering of the saints.”
Some students may think that the biweekly chapel services are enough and we don’t need to seek for outside spiritual community.
“Chapel is short-term spiritual formation because it only lasts as long as students are here, but the local church will shape our lives forever. Chapel at NU can be a form of church, but it definitely is not intended nor designed to replace the local church,” said Dawson.
We are extremely fortunate to have the variety of spiritual life growth opportunities here on campus, but we are also limiting ourselves if we allow that to become the only church faith community we invest in and receive from.
Below is a list of nearby churches and their service times—the list is not exhaustive, rather a few local churches to consider as you begin your search for a church to call home.
Remember: our goal is not to find a church home in order to simply check off a box on our “spiritual to-dos list,” but so that we can plant ourselves in a local faith community where we have the opportunity to interact with a plethora of generations, receive spiritual accountability and guidance, and serve in some way the mission of God in that particular community.
“It helps better ours here at Northwest. Probably the most important note in all of this is the matter of love,” said Dawson. “If I am not a part of a local church, God will love me the same, but if I am not a part of a local church, I will not love God the same. And isn’t that what our whole faith is all about?”
Reach Church. Lake Washington High School, Kirkland WA. Sunday services: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.
The City Church. Kirkland Campus: 9051 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033. Sunday services: 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
Seattle Campus: 2700 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. Sunday services: 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Doxa Church. 620 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. Sunday services: 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Overlake Christian Church. 9900 Willows Rd., Redmond, WA 98052. Sunday services: 9:20 a.m and 11:00 a.m.
Eastside Foursquare Church. 14520 100th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011. Sunday service: 11:00 a.m.
Cedar Park Church. 16300 112th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011. Sunday services: 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 6:00 p.m.
Elevation Church. Butterfield Chapel (on campus). Sunday services: 10:30 a.m.
Northshore Community Church. 10301 NE 145th St, Kirkland, WA 98034. Sunday services: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
