New Hope Free Will Baptist Church

About Us | The Gospel | History |

Welcome to New Hope Free Will Baptist Church. We are affiliated with the National Association of Free Will Baptists which has a fellowship of over 2,400 churches in 42 states and 14 nations around the world. But more importantly the members of our local congregation meet to worship God and fellowship with each other every Sunday morning. We would like to invite you to join us! We think it will do you good--here's why:

Hope

Life can often be difficult, confusing and sometimes even seem pointless. This is because of the effect of sin which has separated all of us from God and His perfect plan for us.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

Love

Because of God’s great love for mankind, He was not content to leave us in this condition.

He sent His own Son to redeem us and give us eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus words in John 10:10

Faith

God helps us in our daily living by giving us a book in which we can find the answers to the big questions of life.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" II Timothy 3:16

This book is better known as the Bible and we at New Hope help people understand God’s Word by practical and interesting teaching and preaching. We hope you will come and see for yourself.

When you do you will find a warm, caring group of people whose desire is to minister to you. You will also find opportunities and ministries for the whole family and all ages.

History

New Hope traces its origins back to 1965 when Rev. Lloyd Plunkett was appointed and hired by the National Home Missions Department to plant a Free Will Baptist church in the Seattle area. After moving here with his wife, Betty, and getting started by making contact with interested parties, advertising, visiting door-to-door and home prayer meetings, the first official worship service was held on November 14, 1965.

The church began to grow slowly but steadily and on February 26, 1967 was officially organized as First Free Will Baptist Church of Seattle with nineteen charter members. The group then purchased a church building located in Burien. After this the church was able to grow more rapidly. In July, 1976 Pastor Plunkett resigned and Rev. Millard Sasser came to pastor the church the following January. The church continued to have success at reaching people with the gospel.

Pastor Sasser resigned in May, 1978 and for a period of about two years the church was unable to find a pastor. During this time the church decided to move to the Kent area because most of the families attending lived in that vicinity. Several preachers filled the pulpit during this time, most notably Rev. Holt Seawell who became interim pastor from June to December 1980. This was a difficult period for the church.

In December, 1980 Rev. Plunkett returned as pastor. Though still renting meeting places, the church was able to purchase an older house on two acres at 13414 SE 272nd St. on the east hill in Kent which is the property we currently own. The house (aka "the Homestead") was used as the parsonage for the Plunkett family and as a meeting place for Wednesday night prayer services and church activities. The church also eventually settled in at Kent Commons as a regular, long-term meeting place for Sunday services. These developments afforded some stability and the church was able to rebound somewhat. It was during this period that the church decided to take the name New Hope Free Will Baptist Church.

In late 1992, after accepting a post from the National Foreign Missions Department, Pastor Plunkett resigned. The church called Rev. Brent Nix to be pastor and he and his family came in September, 1993. After considering different options, the church decided to begin meeting in the former parsonage on Sundays instead of renting. This necessitated extensive remodeling which was largely completed in the fall of 1999.

The church is now saving money to build a larger meeting place to accommodate growth, Christian education and fellowship activities. In the meantime we are preaching and teaching the Bible, developing small groups, distributing literature in the community, inviting our family and friends to church and whatever else we can think to do to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our vision and our prayer is that God will use New Hope Free Will Baptist Church to expand His kingdom in Kent and the surrounding communities.