Our Values
Our church’s name reflects the values that we pursue, both in the past and the present: we are called to serve the diverse communities that call the Rainier Valley home. We take our geographic placement on Rainier Avenue seriously because we believe it is God who has placed us here. And above all else, we are a church, created by the good news of Jesus Christ, which brings new life to both individual lives and entire communities.
Our Diversity
We are a diverse congregation - culturally, linguistically, and chronologically - located in a diverse community. We believe that this diversity is a gift from God that reflects His love for all people, and requires our full commitment. As such, racial reconciliation is a priority for our church, and our services incorporate elements from various cultures and contexts. Our sanctuary is fully accessible for people with all levels of mobility.
Our History
Rainier Avenue Church was established in 1904, on the same corner we are currently located, making the church one of the longest standing institutions of Hillman City. Through the leadership of half a dozen pastors over the decades, we remain committed to following Jesus Christ and pursuing the common good.
Denomination
Rainier Avenue Church is a Free Methodist congregation of the Pacific Northwest Conference. As Free Methodists, we pride ourselves on our Wesleyan spiritual heritage, as well as our longstanding commitment to justice and freedom.
Christian Community Development Association
Rainier Avenue Church is a member of CCDA, a network of ministries which serve alongside under-resourced communities. Key CCDA values include Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution, Leadership Development, Empowerment, Wholistic Approach, Church-Based, and Listening to the Community. Some of the CCDA ministries that we have helped to start are Urban Impact Seattle, Hope Central Pediatrics, and our 10:19 Refugee Resettlement Program.
Rainier Avenue Church is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church located in the Hillman City neighborhood of south Seattle. Established in 1904, our church continues to live out its calling of being a faithful Christian witness to the diverse communities that call south Seattle their home.
You are invited to join us for Sunday worship services, at 9am and 10:30am.
We are a casual and welcoming group of people, and we hope that you will feel at home when you visit. We are people from all stages of life — children, families, singles, seniors — and a variety of backgrounds. Some of the countries represented by people in our church include Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Samoa, Korea, Japan, Burma, Germany, United Kingdom, and France.
Encouraging everyone in the Rainier Valley and beyond to find wholeness in Jesus Christ by:
– Fostering intimacy with God
– Building authentic community
– Working together for compassion and justice
LIVE BIBLICALLY – We believe the Bible is the Word of God, and we apply its truth to daily life. It is the source of our spiritual nurture, community life, and ministry models.
MINISTER HOLISTICALLY – We meet practical needs, helping people to be holy and healthy in mind, body, and spirit. We seek the spiritual and social transformation of our community.
EMBRACE DIVERSITY – We practice reconciliation and model God’s Kingdom, welcoming people with disabilities, people of different ages, and people of different ethnic, racial and socio-economic groups.
WALK RELATIONALLY – We involve people in a multiplying network of mentoring relationships, spiritual friendships, small groups, and congregations, living as God’s people in a new community.
ENGAGE GLOBALLY – We are a local church in global mission. We follow the relational networks of our people to other countries and serve as a sending base for missionaries of different kinds to many different places.
Rainier Avenue Church is part of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church.
Music
One way we worship Jesus is by singing hymns, Christian contemporary, and gospel songs, with lyrics provided. We encourage people to worship freely, whether by singing, lifting hands, sitting in quiet, or kneeling at the front of the sanctuary.
Scripture
Another way we worship Jesus and learn about the Christian faith is through reading the Bible. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and we delight in hearing it! It tells us of God’s character, God’s activity, and God’s desires for us.
Message
As you listen to the sermon at Sunday service — God’s message delivered through one of the pastors — consider how the Holy Spirit may be prompting you to respond. You can find past sermons on our sermons page here.
Prayer
Prayer requests can be written on the orange welcome cards. You are invited to come forward and receive prayer at the end of the service. Anointing oil is often used as a sign of God’s healing presence and power.
Giving
Those of us who consider Rainier Avenue Church our spiritual home give financially to fund its ongoing ministry. Contributions can be specifically designated using the envelopes in the racks attached to each seat. Visitors are encouraged to drop a completed welcome card into the baskets.
Fellowship
Please stay after the service to meet and greet one another. Light refreshments are available downstairs in the fellowship hall between the first and second service (around 10-10:30am), and additional church information and resources are available in the lobby.