Another church moves to West Seattle

| Gatewood | West Seattle religion

Though a “for sale” sign is still up in front of the ex-Gatewood Baptist Church south of Morgan Junction, it’s been sold, and its new owners have their own big sign up on the Cali-facing side of the building: Seattle International Church. According to the church’s website, it’s moving here from Belltown. The site doesn’t say much about the church’s philosophy or any denominational affiliation; the church got a couple paragraphs in a Belltown Messenger roundup of neighborhood churches last year, and there’s a bit of biographical info about half its husband-wife pastor team, Dr. Ray Hampton, at this online-shopping page for a book he wrote.

Wes Olsen April 9, 2007 (3:22 pm)

I emailed them a 23 question email about what they believe and I am excited to hear back from them! It would be good to have more solid Bible teaching and believeing churches in this area!
http://www.needgod.com

Jiggers April 9, 2007 (6:28 pm)

Oh goodie.. I can preach my thoughts about Agnostiscism.

Wes Olsen April 9, 2007 (7:58 pm)

lol…Jiggers you’re going to preach about how you think you don’t know?

The House April 9, 2007 (11:38 pm)

Wes, I took the test and have broke 5 of the 10 commandments. I’m apparently going to hell. Why would it be good to have more solid Bible teaching and believing churches in the area? Why do folks have to read the bible 600 times in their lifetime? I really enjoyed and believed Orgin of Species and 1984….doesn’t mean I study it every Sunday and profess that I wish more people that liked those books would move in the neigborhood. Do you see any hipocracy in the fact that mass murderers can kill 20 people and then accept Jesus Christ as their savior and then go to heaven, while a man who looks at an attractive woman and thinks about having sex with her goes to hell? I could go on and on…

Wes Olsen April 10, 2007 (7:21 am)

Hey “The House” those are great and honest questions. If you are really interested in having answers you can email me at inwardtruth@gmail.com. I would love to discuss these things with you.

Nic April 10, 2007 (8:23 am)

…oh man, favorite part of needgod.com…

“CORRECT: You would go to hell.

Does the fact that you’re headed for hell concern you?”

…who knew ‘final judgment’ would be determined by an internet survey!

Keith April 10, 2007 (10:26 am)

Perhaps this is the answer that some have sought to deal with the increasing population of West Seattle: more churches here that say “you’re headed for hell.”

I like it better than “vibrant.”

A dude April 10, 2007 (11:43 am)

Look! It’s Jesus on Tour 2007! Seattle International Church, Mars Hill, Life Church, and Temenos. Get your tee-shirt now!

Wes Olsen April 10, 2007 (12:12 pm)

I thought you guys were a tolerant bunch. Well, if you have real questions, that do not contain insults, you can always email me!

Jiggers April 10, 2007 (1:37 pm)

I base my decisions on facts, not fairytales. Prove to me that there is a Gawd that created us. I want proof not logic, not heresay, actual proof that it exist’s. Oh boy this ought to be fun.

The House April 10, 2007 (2:20 pm)

I’m not insulting you, but spare me the couch session and answer the questions where I asked them.

Melissa April 10, 2007 (2:46 pm)

What do you know! I’m going to Hell too! I mean, I’m screwed from the get-go because I’m Jewish. The fact that we came first and wrote the book on which their book is ostensibly based doesn’t seem to matter.

I also flubbed the test. Yup, I’m sure that none of those folks who are certain they are headed for the Pearly Gates ever say, “No, honey. You look great in that!” just to make her/him feel good. Another commandment broken!

Gosh, somehow being a moral, ethically-minded, loving wife, mother and friend, as well as a community-minded public servant just isn’t what their God wants. Hmm, come to think of it, why on earth (or off of it) would I want a God like that?

Sharde` April 10, 2007 (3:27 pm)

I actually attended the Seattle International Church this last Sunday…and it was great!!! I love that there’s a young hip non-denomintional church in the area. Both pastors Ray and Julia Hampton seem to be really down to earth and connected people…I mean, how mwny churches do you go to that the pastor will stand by the door to shake hands and talk with the members until the last one leaves. I know that I’m planning on going back, and I think that you guys should come out and visit…Also, from what I hear, it sounds like there’s a really good children and youth ministry as well

Wes Olsen April 10, 2007 (3:33 pm)

Melissa, “their” God is your God too, if you of Jewish desent. I am curious though, where did you hear that because you are Jewish you are going to Hell?
Did anyone go through the whole test? Read it all? God does want good people, but you obviously see that none of us are good, not even one. God’s standard of good is morally perfect. Not your good works.
Isn’t anyone here serious about eternity or just interested in insults?
inwardtruth@gmail.com

Erin April 10, 2007 (4:54 pm)

I was raised Catholic and no longer practice actively. I have my own issues with organized religion, but I say if church (of any kind – temple, synagogue, cathedral, etc) provides something that makes people happier, gives them something they are looking for in their lives, then I am fine with that. This church sounds very open-minded, and from the previous testimonial, appears to have a dedicated and caring staff. I don’t care for judgment on either side – I won’t judge you for going to church and being religious if you don’t hold it against me for not :)

Wes Olsen April 10, 2007 (7:00 pm)

In the effort not to turn West Seattle Blog into this topic specifically, I offered to have anyone email me, as I am sure that our comments will get lengthy – this is not a couch session. Just being considerate.
So House here is the quick answers. Christians should read the Bible 600 times or more so that they are guided, grounded and can defend the truth that is in the Bible. I mean what is the point in believing something if you don’t know it and well! Why I am thankful that there are more Bible-believing churches come into this area is for the reason why you see the comments where people are being so critical of me and what I believe. I honestly thought I would get open-minded, tolerant people to comment. Also, everyone has fallen short of the glory of God-the mass murderer and the guy who lusts. God’s standards are higher and better than ours. He requires perfection and none of us cut it. What hypocrisy? If the prideful lusting man never surrenders to God’s forgiveness as demonstrated through the cross in Jesus Christ, then yes his punishment is eternity in Hell. If the mass murderer humbles himself and admits to his sins repents and asks for forgiveness, will God forgive? Yes! But are they both offered the same forgiveness through Christ? Yes! One just does not want to surrender. God offers this to all of us. He does not want you to die without recieving His awesome grace. If you want more specifics and are honest about asking questions, you can email me.
Jiggers, I can tell by your last statement that no matter what I say to you, you will insult and poke fun, etc.. So I will reason with you ,but with all of you I can not make you believe in God, all I can tell you is what the Bible says. Jiggers, how do you know the Space Needle exsists? Because you see the Space Needle. Did you see the Space Needle being built or the builder(s) who built it? Probably not. I would suggest to you that everything you see around you has been created by something. Watches are built by watchmakers, they just don’t happen and buildings are built – I mean a forest didn’t explode and create buildings. Creation points to a creator and screams out to you that there is a designer, a creator. If you want to continue on, please email me. I promise to be considerate and polite and tell you the truth.
Erin what do you mean by judgement? You can email me at inwardtruth@gmail.com

Jan April 10, 2007 (9:14 pm)

wow…wes…are you telling us that your way is the only way? That’s not a fact, that’s a belief….and I will defend your right to believe that with all my might. Just because we are not perfect humans, and we don’t necessarily believe what you do does not make us someone who is going to hell. That’s YOUR interpretation…not mine. I may believe differently than you, or House, or Eric, or the Administrator, or Melissa, or someone in Italy, ot someone in Iraq, or Australia. You have no right to sit there and believe that you may be superior because you believe in something different than we do. Beliefs are just that…beliefs…not fact. How dare you think that you’re better because according to your beliefs you, not us, are going to heaven. You won’t know that until you get to wherever it is that you’re going after you die. Shame on you for the superior attitude. You’ve never told a lie? You’ve never killed? – not even a bee? Oh, please…spare me…

Jiggers April 10, 2007 (9:25 pm)

Well said Erin..

Amy April 10, 2007 (10:49 pm)

You’re pretty touchy, Wes. I don’t see where anyone insulted you. They just don’t agree with your ideas on “eternity.” If you post something in a public blog, I recommend you grow some thicker skin. Someone will have a different viewpoint than you do. And, p.s. you tried to make fun of Jiggers being “agnostic” – – turn the other cheek, dude.

Wes Olsen April 11, 2007 (7:37 am)

I am not hurt by the insults, just thought I would get more open-minded people. Jan, I never said I was superior to you or anyone else. I am not better because of the truth of Jesus Christ. What makes you think that? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. So Jesus makes the claim that through Him we can go to heaven. No other way. I would like to know how you justify that any way can lead to God. In the case of interpretation, if I said Little Red Riding Hood was about communism trying to work it’s way into America and what we need to do is try and eat it-destroy it, would I be right in my interpretation? Shouldn’t we interpret what we read by author’s intent?
Amy I wasn’t making fun of Jiggers, I just thought it sounded funny.
Did I get it all? If you would like to have conversations regarding any of this, you are more than welcome to email me, instead of using up this blog’s space. Thanks!

Jiggers April 11, 2007 (8:08 am)

Organized religion is first and foremost a business. It prey’s on people that want something more to fullfill their lives with by using the word of god. If you don’t believe that, you need help.

A dude April 11, 2007 (8:15 am)

You know what? I don’t even CARE what happens after I pass away. I’m here for the now. Managing to get by day-to-day -being nice when I can, and rude when necessary. After I die…that’s the end of the road. Should there happen to be some fancy-schmancy country club in the clouds, all the better. If there’s a ghetto down below, I’ll make the best of it. I can adapt. The WSBlog is a public forum, I’m not interested in discussion/debates via email. I’m voicing my opinion, just as you are. You thought WE were the tolerant bunch? Set the example and tolerate me/us for who/what we are and what we may/may not believe.

Wes Olsen April 11, 2007 (10:44 am)

Jiggers, I agree organized religion is pretty hypocritical. Let’s say a friend of yours hits me, and I turn to you and say, “He hit me, I hate you!” Would that be fair blaming you for your friend hitting me? Nope. So don’t look at organized religion to save you, but consider Jesus Christ, don’t look at me, look at Him. I know I am a sinner in need of God’s grace, and I love Him that He saved me. I don’t blame you for thinking that about organized religion.
“A dude” I am wondering why you don’t care what happens after you die. It actually concerns me greatly. I am tolerating all of you, it’s easy because I have compassion for you all. Let me ask you, If you saw a blind man walking towards a cliff, and he has no idea that he is about to fall to his death, would you tell him to stop and warn him of the danger to come? Would you scream, “Blind man, turn around there is a cliff there and you’re going to fall and die!”? I assume that you are a caring and compassionate person and would do that. Right?
I have no problem commenting here, like I said I just didn’t want to upset the WS blog people. I like this blog.

Jan April 11, 2007 (10:44 am)

wes…my beliefs are my beliefs. I don’t need to share them with anyone, or try to “convert” anyone. I find that offensive when someone does that to me, so I don’t do it. My beliefs are private, they work for me, and that’s that. Your way is your way…your interpretation of the bible is YOUR interpretation, not the person sitting next to you in church or on the bus. You come across as a person that has all the answers…and what you are saying was fed to you by someone else. Respect us for what we believe or don’t believe, and don’t assume that we might need saving. I’m sure your god doesn’t do that. What I’m saying is..if your beliefs make you happy, and give you some sort of comfort in your life, and what you believe is your afterlife, then, by all means go for it. But keep it to yourself.

mindless chatter April 11, 2007 (10:46 am)

Im ok? Your ok? We’re all ok? Hey, at least Im not as bad as that guy? The words people really seek to avoid are “Conscience” and “Conviction”.

Wes Olsen April 11, 2007 (10:56 am)

Jan, I was struck by your comment on not sharing what you believe with anyone, yet you just shared with me what you think I should do? Am I understanding this right? It sounds like a double standard. Would I be right in assuming that you believe that all truth is relative? My interpretation of the Bible, is not mine, it is actually author’s intent. That is, what is the writer, trying to say and to whom, in what setting, under what conditions. You do believe words have meaning right?

intheshadows April 11, 2007 (11:24 am)

Im ok? your ok? we’re all ok? ….. I believe society is working overtime to avoid words like, “Conscience” and “Conviction” and “Consequence”. What do you think?

Jan April 11, 2007 (2:43 pm)

wes…rule #1…never assume anything. As you stated in your story about the blind man, if you see someone who is blind? Don’t assume that we are blind, and you have to show us the way…we already have our way. The bible is open to interpretation many many ways….just my opinion. Let’s just agree to disagree…but don’t assume that any of us needs saving.

Wes Olsen April 11, 2007 (3:06 pm)

Jan, I feel like you are sharing your beliefs with me, By telling me to DO NOT assume and I know you find this sort of thing offensive, so I wondering why you’re doing it with me? So what is your way, and what do you mean by interpretation?

Wes Olsen April 11, 2007 (3:22 pm)

I am not sure if my first post went through, so I will respond here again.
Jan, Whay are you forcing your beliefs on me about to NOT assume. I thought that kind of thing was offensive to you. It sounds like a lot of contradictions. Tell me, what is your “way” and why do you think you are right? Also, what do you mean by interpretation?