grace covered, full of hope.

When Keith told me that he and Brandon chose Queen Anne, I have to admit that I was incredibly joyful. After spending the summer in Seattle, learning about all of the districts, neighborhoods, and communities, I think that Queen Anne is one of the most accurately God-honoring choices we could make as a church body.

This summer, I lived with Christy in the Central District of Seattle, aka the “CD.” This is a mostly residential neighborhood in Seattle- it has the highest concentration of African-American people in the state of Washington and is still home to a variety of African-American culture including several gospel churches, Ethiopian restaurants, great Creole and Philly Cheesesteaks, as well as one of the best fried chicken restaurants ever.

I lived on East Union Street. I was blessed to have a Metro bus stop right outside of my house. It was a joy and a privilege to take the bus every morning with the ‘working people’ of Seattle, the blue-collar folk who I continually learned from and cherished conversations with.

I will always appreciate my experiences in the CD. Though the corner of 23rd and Union was well known and feared by the people I knew, I enjoyed praying for and admiring the faces on the streetside from my bus window. My neighbor (who gave himself the nickname “Chicago”) was a flambouyant hustler with alot to say, and the once fears that overwhelmed in the mornings stepping onto the street were overcome by feelings of faith and hope for the future of this community.

I will always be thankful for the Central District. I will never forget the conversations, the faces, the challenges and the frustrations that I encountered on East Union Street.

Now that we’ve pinpointed Queen Anne, I can tell you that it is very different from the CD. Queen Anne is an area of strong influence. Influential people live in Queen Anne. Business professionals, proud families, brave urbanites, young and old, artists and entrepeneurs. Queen Anne is filled with life, filled with hope and ignorant bliss. I am excited to preach the Good News, but also aware that many people in this community do not understand the need for grace and for a Savior. Believing in the idea of Common Grace, a salvation that is equal for everyone (whether they live in a condemned house in the CD or at the top of Queen Anne Hill) is something foreign to many in this neighborhood.

I believe that we have the right team to stir things up. I believe that we have the talents and giftings that God desires to use to reach the Queen Anne district of Seattle. I am so excited to see what happens!

Our Seattle Team will be presenting on November 3rd.

I am so excited to even learn more myself about what God is going to do through this team.
You can check out the team’s blog at:
http://winona2seattle.wordpress.com

Wes will be performing live, there will be live media & video, and coffee shop conversations.

My heart is expanding, I am so excited.