we are one
Quest celebrated our first service together as ONE church yesterday [Sunday, June 3]. I was exhausted [mainly because of an intense trip to Detroit] but the gathering was momentous. It almost seems surreal but the merger is now a done deal; We now enter the third season as a church community and missional ministry [The first season was the literal birth and planting of Quest and the second season was the founding of our non-profit community development - the QCafe]. The city of Seattle seems to be surprised and intrigued by this “merger” as well. The Seattle PI published a huge Local Section front cover article [and front page photo] on the Quest/Interbay merger and their observations from yesterday’s service. UPDATE: here’s another article from the Covenant Wire.
Here’s the video we showed to honor the “Interbay community” at yesterday’s service and the ONE CHURCH newsletter [pdf]. The photo below the video is from yesterday’s service [taken by Joanie K]. On behalf of Quest, I am presenting the first of many framed photos that will be hung on the church entrance as a “tribute” to the legacy of Interbay. Pastor Ray Bartel, Interbay’s former senior pastor, is accepting the gift. As of June 1, he joined our church’s pastoral staff.
On Saturday, my family and I, along with some of our church staff and leaders welcomed some of the folks from the “Interbay Community” to our home for a barbecue lunch. It was great to enjoy some time with them outside the church building and to convey that our hearts and our home is open to them. To somehow articulate to them that each of them are and will be valued through this church merger. They will not be forgotten or lost in Transition or Translation. Tomorrow, we celebrate the beginning of a new season as we celebrate our first Sunday worship gathering as One Church.
Interbay: Thank you for your amazing faith and courage! Thank you for your decision in joining Quest and moving forward together. Because of your rich legacy of serving Seattle and sending missionaries globally, the larger church can now continue to grow as we seek the Kingdom of God together in Seattle and beyond. As ONE church, may we always remember the steadfast service of those who have gone before and made a way for us. To God be the glory!
Part I of An Incredible Legacy. Photos taken by Leo Chen at Interbay’s last service on May 27.
Sunday, June 3, 2007 at
I really REALLY wish I would be there this morning. Stupid broken airplanes. :)
Sunday, June 3, 2007 at
Eugene, I pray that you got back to seattle safely and all is well. Thank you again for introducing me to this means of communication, I am honored. Praise God for the gift of the “Interbay community”, I know that because of your convictions and missional heart, misson will continue in the seattle area and around the world. You are a gift to the body and you are a gift to me. Thank my brother. Robert (whataboutrobert)
Sunday, June 3, 2007 at
Keith and Lynn Tungseth, former pastors of the Interbay Covenant Church, and I (Leonid Regheta, Covenant missionary) are all in Saint Petersburg, Russia today. We prayed this Sunday service in a local church here about Quest Church, its ministry and future.
May the Lord bestow many blessings and wonderful days ahead for all of people Quest is ministering to!
Monday, June 4, 2007 at
may the Lord continue to richly bless you
Saturday, June 9, 2007 at
[...] Eugene Cho’s report on the emerging/traditional church merger. The Seattle Post Intelligencer’s article. [...]
Saturday, June 9, 2007 at
I followed the link from jesuscreed.org.
WOW!
I’m usually not easily given to tears, but my eyes welled up on this. What a beautiful story.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at
[...] Here is more on the story from Pastor Cho’s blog. [...]
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at
[...] are some final pics from our recent renovation of our newly gifted church property. In June 07, Interbay Church gifted their property to our church, Quest, and joined our community. For 27 days through several weeks in August and September, we [...]