- Where did you grow up?

I was born in China and had been raised (for 12 years) in a small town outside of the city of Fuzhou, which is located on the southeastern coastal area. It’s a major coastal city between Hong Kong and Shanghai. From 1996 to 2007, my family had lived in 3 different states on the East Coast between Maine and Georgia.

- Where was your first Church of Christ experience?

A college friend invited me to the Athens Church of Christ in Georgia after I had been actively seeking God for 3 years and cried out to be shown how to find Him. I thought people were on ‘happy drugs’ when I first met them. They were hugging each other and excited to be there early Sunday mornings. I could feel the genuine love and care among the people and it was very attractive. The sermon was powerful, personal, and the scriptures penetrated into the depth of my heart. It was very different compared to the previous churches that I had been to. I was blown away by what I saw and felt!

- What made you want to start studying the Bible?

Believe it or not, I was born into a christian family (even in Communist China!) and had been going to church pretty much my whole life with the exception of my high school years. Having been exposed to prayer, scripture reading, praise worship, and baptism at an early age instilled in me a seed that later would grow. I still remember various people who had prayed with me to invite Jesus into my heart as a kid. I also got down on my knees begging God to heal my mom from her sickness in 10th grade (high school) and promising that I would follow Him for the rest of my life. When my mom indeed did get better, I forgot all about my prayer.

I started going to church again when I went to college, but didn’t feel like I was growing after going through the water baptism, summer camps, visiting 6 or so campus ministries, and early morning prayer groups. After all that I did, I still felt powerless to change my life and the guilt that I was carrying. Teresa Tang, who I now refer to as my spiritual mom, recalls today that I was pridefully religious when she first met me. Thankfully, God prompted my heart and I found out that this was what I had been looking for. I studied it out and I was challenged to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” I had tried everything else out; This was my last resort.

- What is God teaching you in your life right now?

God is teaching me that the full measure of His grace can only be experienced when we are deeply rooted and intertwined in the Body of Christ. Thus, He is prompting me to work on my relationships with sisters and brothers:) Relationship building, being vulnerable with my feelings, and reaching out for help are some of my weaknesses. He is also teaching me that when my pride and selfishness are strong, then I’m missing out on all the good and rewarding things that He wants to bless me with.

- What do you love about the singles ministry?

I love the freedom, fun, fire (of the heart) and a future to look forward to in the singles! God has given us our health, energy, and the means to do many great things for Him if we are willing. We can be as devoted to Him as we choose to be in this stage of life without many other responsibilities that might distract us. We are young, can support ourselves with jobs, can spend our time however we want and travel easily! Our zeal and passion can be contagious and if we allow ourselves to have visions and dream dreams, then God can use us in unimaginable ways!

Wanted to extend our gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly to create the “Party of the Year.” Saturday night did not disappoint! We were welcomed by our college student volunteers carrying trays of gourmet finger food (thanks to Tina Robison and her team). The singles were next carrying glasses of local wines (thanks Sabrina). The registration team, led by Wendy Soethe, was so efficient that there weren’t any lines to wait in to check-in or out. Sarah Emerson-Villanueva & Co. staged everything beautifully. Lisa Lewis and Tracey Warren had 180 amazing items to bid on this year from a “Water Front Cottage in Bali” to “Four Strong Single Guys with Shovels and Rakes.” April Brown is always a fundraising force and she helped us raise $36,000 toward the preservation and restoration of our historic Queen Anne church building. We’re already collecting items for next year’s auction. The tradition of celebration and restoration is a highlight every year.

Please join us as we have the time of our lives and save an important piece of Seattle history. Our Church home is officially a Seattle Historic Landmark. We need your help in preservation and restoration expenses so we throw an amazing party once each year.

So many have given so much to this cause. The former Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist was built in 1927 by an amazing architect, Harlan Thomas. He also helped create the Sorrento Hotel, Pike Place Market, Harborview Hospital, several Seattle public libraries, and some of UW’s most beautiful fraternity and sorority houses.

Our church was almost demolished three years ago and now is a vibrant church home and center of community activity on Queen Anne.

CLICK HERE to get your discount advance tickets now.

On Thursday, August 12th, Heather Hsu was baptized into Christ at Alki Beach. It was an incredibly beautiful evening that was topped off with an out of this world sunset!  

Heather and her husband Gene moved to Seattle from San Francisco a little more than two years ago.  At that time their son, Aiden was three years old. Heather and Gene enrolled Aiden in Kenney’s Korner, the West Seattle preschool owned and operated by Bernadette Anderson. Within a few months,  Heather began initiating conversations about our church and issues of faith in God. She also noticed interesting new behavior in her son, Aiden including his interest in saying a prayer before meals.  Bernie invited her to Women’s Day and she attended.  Over the next two years, they started to study the Bible along with some of the sisters from the West Seattle Mission Town. There were also great family outings that included memorable camping trips.
 

Heather is a Scientist, trained in bio chemistry and currently working in drug safety research.  God provided support and friendship for her in Sanna Kolave-Jeffrey, a Westside sister who is also an educated scientist; The two became fast friends. 
All of Heather’s close friends in the church have been inspired by witnessing the power of God at work in her heart and mind. Heather spent many months deeply searching the scriptures for truth and faith, and she found both.

Bernadette says, “Heather has become a dear and treasured friend and our sons now refer to each other as brothers.”

Truly God has… “determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” -ACTS 17:26-27