Our story begins and ends with Jesus.
We are a multigenerational and multicultural community of everyday people united by our love for Jesus.
We love Jesus and want to grow to be like him.
We are on team Jesus.
We are so captivated by Jesus that we want to reflect who he is to the world. Our mission is to become like Him and live as he did.
Because of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, we want to participate with him in furthering his kingdom on the Eastside and the places in the world he sends us. What does his kingdom look like? Click below to learn more. We want to see more of Jesus’ kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Our Vision is our Focus
Our vision guides where we want to grow as a community and the impact we want to make over the next five years.
Our three areas of focus are:
- Equipping our whole congregation to be fully engaged disciples of Jesus.
- Empowering every generation to reach young families.
- Further developing our campus to serve the needs of our church family and the Eastside.
We believe Jesus calls us to become more like him.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe Jesus calls us to become more like him. We follow him by participating in his kingdom: seeking justice, offering mercy and helping people to deepen their relationship with Jesus. In doing this, we reverse the effects of brokenness in our homes, community, and our world.
70 years of becoming like Jesus and bringing more of heaven to earth.
Began in a humble funeral home.
First BelPres Pastor, Frank Burgess, walked door-to-door inviting families in the growing city of Bellevue (population 9,000) to worship in a humble funeral home. Our kids ministry met in the Bellevue elementary School and choirs rehearsed in the coffin room.
Outreach coffee houses, refugee support and first missions conference.
Families in our congregation opened their homes to support refugees after the Vietnam War. Pastor David Dilworth, previous missionary in China and second BelPres senior pastor, encouraged the development of the first three-day mission conference to deepened the understanding the gospel from a missional perspective. “We want the whole world to hear his voice.”
Growth and new buildings.
Congregation grew to 2000+, new Sanctuary built with biblical symbolism and pipe organ. Cross in the sanctuary was crafted from wood from the original chapel.
50th Year Anniversary - A Year of Jubilee
We prayed about how to use our 50th year for God’s glory! Out of that prayer was birthed Jubilee Service Day, Jubilee REACH, Educational Center and Center for Champions in Rwanda, a preschool and Bellevue Farmers Market.
Being “All In” to become like Jesus.
Movement toward discipleship during a season of isolation: COVID 2019. Launched a series about going “All In” with Jesus and 40 online groups formed.
Family Crisis
Identified young families missing from church and in need of support. Refocused our efforts to support the thriving of young families in our city.
Baptism Sunday - a move of God.
We celebrated 139 baptisms, ages 6-89 make the decision to get baptized and follow Jesus!
What will Jesus do next?
God has not brought us this far, and given us this much resource and legacy to stop. We are excited for 70 more years of hope, healing, and freedom locally and around the world because of Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the decisions?
What denomination are you?
I am skeptical of Jesus, can I still come?
What is my purpose in this community?
Do women lead here?
What does BelPres believe about the Bible?
How are LGBTQ+ people treated at this church?
Is BelPres Republican, Moderate, or Democrat?
