Unleashed
Imagine a Church...
Imagine a church where mature disciples help mentor those who are curious about following Jesus... Imagine a church where we can all gather around tables in community... Imagine a church where refugees are housed and cared for and told about Jesus.
When I am in prayer, holding BelPres before the Lord, I often ask, for what purpose have you assembled so many resources, people, expertise, time, money, influence—in one church? It’s not about appearances. As we are unleashed through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we freely give our time, money, and influence, we become more like the church that Jesus talked about.
As we move into our 70th year, we are not becoming a different church, but extending who we have been into who we are becoming. When I imagine the church pictured above, I imagine the church Jesus talked about—a church that is filled with passionate disciples who transform lives, a church that repairs broken relationships and tears down dividing walls of hostility, and a church that shows the world who Jesus is through our common life together. This church scares the devil, and it is the church we are made for and long for.
As we step into our 70th year, we look back with thanksgiving for all that God has done as we move forward toward what he wants to do now.
Our next 70 years will be about unleashing us as individuals and as a church as we step into broken places with healing, into lonely spaces with community, and into the world with the power of Jesus. So get ready. It’s going to be a great ride.
BelPres Church Over 70 Years
1955
Frank Burgess invites local families to worship in a humble funeral home
1970
BelPres members provide housing for Cambodian refugees after Vietnam War
1971
Outreach Coffee Shop in downtown Bellevue for Youth
1973-1984
David Dilworth led our congregation as the second senior pastor of what was then called First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue
1974
First World Missions Conference hosted
1986-2001
Dick Leon became Senior Pastor, 1,449 members
1990
Began rotating shelter for homeless evolves into current Porchlight
1995-1999
Under the leadership of third senior pastor, Dick Leon, church grows to 2,500 members & new Sanctuary and Community Center built
2001
Retired group led long term impact in Guatemala (Journey with a Village) and Eastside Academy launches on BelPres campus
2002
New Senior Pastor Scott Dudley brings focus to show the community the real Jesus
2004
Bellevue Farmers Market forms to support local farmers and create community
2005
Modern Worship launches a morning service.
2004-2006
50th Year Campaign: Jubilee Service Day and Jubilee REACH Center, Center for Champions in Rwanda, BelPres Preschool
2016
East African Church New Hope Revival Launches on Campus Racial Justice & Reconciliation Team formed
2016
Racial Justice & Reconciliation Team forms
2017
Good Neighbor Teams form to support refugee families
2019
Sermon series “All In” Launches small groups/discipleship focus during global pandemic
2022
Refocused our efforts to support the thriving young families in our city.
2023
First Immersion Baptism Sunday: 139 baptisms, 6-89 years old!
2025
Unleashing God’s Kingdom into the next Generation
Unleashed for the Next 70 Years
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are unleashed FROM:
- Idols of our current culture that bind and restrain us
- Anxiety, fear, and the stress of achievement
- Routine that numbs and dulls our life
- The comforts of suburbia and the material world that keep us from God’s bigger adventure
We are unleashed FOR God’s kingdom purposes:
- Passionate connection and submission to Jesus
- Giving freely of our time, money, and influence because we are satisfied in him
- Experiencing signs and wonders, miracles, and the power of healing
- A better life because we have a deeper connection to God, one another, and a common mission
Projects We’ll Tackle Together.
Word & Spirit
- BelPres is becoming a church of Word-and-Spirit, deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition, yet fully alive with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
- This vision will come to life through a revitalized prayer ministry, a dedicated Prayer Room, and the activation of our spiritual gifts.
- We will be known not only for sound teaching and missional impact, but also as a place where people walk with and experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17)
Anchor & Flame
- A tapestry of intentionally formed mentoring relationships where mature disciples guide with wisdom those eager to be equipped for life and faith.
- One provides the grounding (Anchor), the other brings passion and hunger to grow (Flame)—together shaping disciples through Scripture, spiritual gifts, and everyday life.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
One Roof Gatherings
- Be knitted in community under “One Roof”, a new way to gather all worshipping communities at BelPres in the spirit of Acts 2:42—teaching, prayer, fellowship, and shared meals.
- One Roof will be a worship service of deeper formation, multilingual expressions, communion, and unleashed hospitality.
- It will connect us in Christ across cultures around a sacred space of our church: the table.
“They devoted themselves to teaching and fellowship, breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.” (Acts 2:42-43)
A Lobby Reimagined for Greater Community
The heartbeat of the campus at the center of our church—with space for prayer, worship, community, discipleship, fellowship, and hospitality.
- A new gathering place, all under “OneRoof”
- A central space on campus
- An open invitation for our community to encounter God’s presence.
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
BelPres Affordable Childcare & Preschool
A Christ-centered Childcare Center at BelPres serving children from birth through pre-K.
- Affordable, accessible, high-quality care and early education.
- A place enabling families to grow and thrive, where children and families encounter the love of Jesus, many for the very first time.
- Convenient and centrally located, in the heart of Bellevue.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)
Refugee Housing: Dignity. Shelter. Belonging.
The Refugee Housing Initiative will serve and safely house refugees and asylum seekers from New Hope and throughout King County. Housing opportunities will range from short-term stays to more permanent solutions—within our local community.
- Train and equip 20 Host Families in 2026.
- Serve at least 50 individuals and their families in 2026.
- All refugees and asylum seekers in King County have safe housing by 2036.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…for as you did to the least of these, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:35, 40)
Refugee Ministry: Where Justice Meets Mercy
This initiative will equip our congregation, young families and kids with a biblical understanding of key issues, walk alongside displaced individuals, and cultivate lasting, transformative relationships rooted in the love of Jesus.
- Biblical training for all staff and the BelPres congregation in next 2 years.
- 20 refugee and asylum-seeking families supported in 2027.
- Justice advocacy at local, state and national levels.
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:34–35)
The Middle East Becomes the New Center of God’s Kingdom Movement
Participate in God’s transformative movement among refugees and asylum seekers from the Middle East as they spread the love of Jesus through Europe and back into their home nations and beyond.
- Support leaders: Identify and equip Muslim-background pastors; provide annual leadership training.
- Send teams: Encourage, serve, and walk alongside new believers as they share Jesus’ love across Europe and back into their home nations.
- Commission workers: Send individuals and families for long-term ministry among refugee communities.
- Partner strategically: Support leaders spiritually, physically, financially, and relationally.
Unleashed: The Journey Ahead
What Should I Do Next?
Pray
- For the Holy Spirit to unleash us and send revival to our region.
- For God to speak to you about unleashing your time, generosity, and influence for his greater purpose.
Seek
- How is God speaking to you about where you might be leashed or held back from fully experiencing God's kingdom?
- What might God be calling you into in this season? What might God want to unleash you for in his kingdom?
- Where is God calling you as you consider your own generosity, time and influence?
- Who in your community group or family might you pray and discern with as we step into Unleashed as a church?
Commit & Celebrate
- You can fill out an Unleashed Card at any time.
- Thank you for celebrating with us on our 70th anniversary as a community where God is taking us!
Live Unleashed
I'd love to talk to someone about how I can live unleashed for Jesus' kingdom with my time, money and influence.
