Issaquah Christian Church members enjoy new facilities
April 2, 2013
After more than 30 years in the same building, Issaquah Christian Church members are enjoying their new facility — on the same property — that is now large enough to hold the growing congregation.
The church, founded in 1970, originally held services at Gibson Hall on Newport Way. In 1980, the church moved to its current location at 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Road and remained in the same building until it completed its new building in October 2011.
By Greg Farrar
Pastor Brad Bromling poses in the 300-seat Issaquah Christian Church sanctuary, with the tall cross at the window’s interior that was made by member David Gallagher, of Hobart, with an exterior cross created by member Larry McNeely, of Enumclaw.
“We had looked forward to it for about 10 years, so now we have a sense of accomplishment,” senior pastor Brad Bromling said. “It makes things possible that have not been possible in the past.”
Churches’ pie auction to benefit Compassion House
October 30, 2012
It may be hard to imagine paying more than $400 for a pie, but at the Compassion House Benefit Pie Auction, it’s not so far-fetched.
At last year’s event, some pies sold for more than $450, with all of the money going toward Compassion House, a local nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing to families in need.
“You know when you have an auctioneer that is capable of selling some pies upwards of $450, that people have an open heart for giving,” said Rick McCarty, the executive director of Compassion House.
Celebrate Independence Day in Issaquah with parade
June 26, 2012
Fireworks are banned in Issaquah and surrounding areas, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Churches’ men’s clothing drive runs through Feb. 26
February 7, 2012
Seattle area streets serve as home to a population of roughly 8,900, according to Jim Rockstad, of Issaquah Christian Church.
Of that total, an estimated 80 percent are men, he said. At the same time, however, about 80 percent of the clothing donated for the homeless is for women and children.
“There is a real need for warm men’s clothing,” Rockstad said.
For the third year in a row, Rockstad is helping organize a winter men’s clothing drive benefiting Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission and the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
Off the Press
December 13, 2011
Santa, please help tell true story of Christmas
David Hayes Press reporter
A funny thing happened when I was asked to play the role of Santa for Northwest Pugs — a meetup group my wife co-organizes for local pug owners.
Cute photos of their dogs with Jolly St. Nick would have to be without me, for you see, I didn’t fit into the silly suit.
Who in China designs a costume of a fat man that an actual horizontally challenged person cannot fit into? Luckily, my wife found a more svelte volunteer to fill the position.
However, once my services were no longer needed, I decided to turn the tables and think about what I would ask of Santa, if I were to discover one with a lap ample enough to hold my weight without risk of injury.
My wish of the bearded one would be an emphasis on the return of the true meaning of Christmas to include more of the original bearded one. That would involve getting the ACLU’s grubby little paws off the holiday.
Issaquah Christian Church’s Christmas tree sale benefits mission to Mexico
November 22, 2011
Jim Rockstad, a member of Issaquah Christian Church, stands next to a model house showing the mission work done with funds raised during the annual Christmas tree sales. By Greg Farrar
The annual Christmas tree lot at Issaquah Christian Church will open at noon the day after Thanksgiving.
The lot is on church property at 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E., a mile and a half south of the city limits.
“Buy a Noble fir for a noble cause” at the lot where proceeds from sales support missions, including Mexico homebuilding. Each year, a team of adults and teens travel to Mexico in June to build homes there at no cost to those in need.
This year, 38 adults and teenagers participated in the building of about 15 homes and a church near Tijuana. A model Mexico home has been constructed on the church property and people are encouraged to tour the model.
The model home measures a scant 11-feet-by-22 feet — a castle to families south of the border who often live in cardboard boxes.
Safety officials offer reminder as fireworks sales start
June 26, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. June 26, 2011
Independence Day revelers can start picking up fireworks at noon Tuesday, as retail stands open across the state.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office recorded 575 fireworks incidents last year — including 162 injuries; 50 injuries involved children under 14.
“There is much that can be done to protect children and others from fireworks injuries,” Fire Marshal Charles Duffy said in a news release.
In the Issaquah area, Issaquah Christian Church sells fireworks to benefit relief missions.
The state Fire Marshal’s office offers tips for fireworks safety: Read more
Buy fireworks to benefit church’s foreign missions
June 21, 2011
Doug Donaldson’s life changed when he handed the key to a newly constructed house to a struggling Tijuanan family in 2001.
Customers browse among the fireworks on display for sale at the Issaquah Christian Church stand, on Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast, during last year’s missions fundraiser. Contributed
He and his fellow mission attendees and members of Issaquah Christian Church had spent the past year raising funds for the chance to spend eight days in Mexico building homes for the poor.
In 2005, Donaldson sold Northwest Computer Support — a computer repair and networking business he had been with for 22 years — to devote his life to helping families in need through the church’s mission trips.
“It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done,” he said. “You know, it was like my baby. Ultimately, it took a year for me to realize that it was meant to be.”
But Donaldson has no regrets — after treating patients with tuberculosis, HIV and machete wounds, he said his perspective and appreciation for his life in the United States have been altered forever.
Issaquah graduate scores soccer gear for Ugandan orphans
June 21, 2011
Thanks to the hard work of Blaire Brady, her friends and her family, two youth soccer teams in Uganda will have warm-up gear and matching uniforms.
Blaire Brady
Brady, a 2011 Issaquah High School graduate, has coordinated drives for Ugandan orphans for the past three years.
Mark Bowers, the African missions team leader at Issaquah Christian Church, contacted Issaquah High leadership teacher Emily Carl to see if any of her students could organize a drive for the church’s mission trip to Uganda.
Bowers had heard that orphans in Uganda had nary a soccer uniform.
“Their clothing is generally rags,” he said. “They do have some semi-organized soccer teams, and one of the pastors there said, ‘We would love to have any equipment you have, even if it’s torn up.’”
Donate men’s winter clothing at Issaquah churches
February 1, 2011
Start spring cleaning early — and help the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank at the same time.
Issaquah churches collect men’s clothing for the food pantry throughout February. Any overflow donations benefit Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.
The local food pantry needs men’s winter coats, casual pants and jeans in larger sizes, hats and gloves in adult sizes, rain ponchos, shirts and sweaters, plus new underwear in sizes 38 and larger, and new warm socks.
Participants can drop off the clothing in marked bins in front of the following Issaquah churches:
- Issaquah Christian Church, 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E.
- Foothills Baptist Church, 10120 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E.
- Community Church of Issaquah, 205 Mountain Park Blvd.
- Mountain Creek Christian Fellowship, 165 Front St. N.
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 24850 S.E. Issaquah-Fall City Road
