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Home in the City

Frequently Asked Questions

We're excited to share more about the opportunity to purchase a permanent ministry home for Every Nation Church Seattle. Below you'll find answers to many of the questions we've received as we've shared this opportunity with our church family.
As this process continues, we'll keep this page updated with new information and answers to additional questions.
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Vision & Mission

Why are we considering this opportunity?

For more than twenty-five years, Every Nation Church Seattle has existed to honor God and make disciples of Jesus Christ who love well.

As our church has grown and matured, leadership has continued asking what kind of environment would best support that calling—not only for today, but for the years ahead. We've reached a point where our current space limits several areas of ministry, particularly children's ministry, opportunities to gather as one church family, leadership development, and ministry throughout the week.

We are deeply grateful for God's provision in every season, while also praying that He might provide a place that allows us to serve more effectively. We believe this opportunity aligns closely with those prayers and will help us continue loving people, making disciples, and serving Seattle for many years to come.

Why this building?

When we first walked through the building, we were struck by how naturally it supports many of the things that are already central to who we are as a church.

It includes areas for worship, children's ministry, discipleship, hospitality, church operations, and gathering together. Rather than investing significant time and resources adapting another type of property, we could focus more quickly on using the space to serve people well.

Just as meaningful has been Hallows' desire to see another gospel-centered church continue the ministry already taking place here. Their hope is that worship continues, disciples continue to be made, and the surrounding neighborhood continues to be loved well. That shared heart has made this feel less like acquiring property and more like receiving the opportunity to carry forward a legacy of faithful ministry.

Beginning August 23, we'll have the opportunity to begin that next chapter as we gather for worship in this space while continuing to move toward closing together.

Why this location?

No location is perfect, and every location comes with both opportunities and tradeoffs.

As leadership evaluated this possibility, we considered not only the space itself but also how its location would support the future of Every Nation Church Seattle. We recognize that moving from the Hub means the building is no longer within walking distance of the U District light rail station, and we know that may create additional challenges for some members and students.

At the same time, the property remains just a few minutes from our current location, keeps us connected to the University of Washington, brings us closer to Seattle Pacific University, and places us in a neighborhood with families, schools, parks, and opportunities to build relationships throughout the week.

Ultimately, we believe this location provides a strong foundation for continuing to serve the people God has called us to reach.

Why now?

If this opportunity feels like it came together quickly, you're not alone. In many ways, it did.

We first learned about this possibility in early June through trusted relationships. Because the property was never publicly listed, there was a relatively short window to prayerfully evaluate whether this was something we should pursue. Since then, our elders and staff have spent significant time praying, seeking counsel, exploring financing, evaluating the property, and discerning whether this is the right next step for Every Nation Church Seattle.

As that process has continued, we've also been given the unexpected opportunity to begin gathering in the building before closing through a no-cost lease generously provided by Hallows Church. Beginning August 23, we'll worship together there while continuing to move through the final steps of the purchase process and our Home in the City campaign.

While important work still remains—including completing the purchase and continuing our fundraising campaign—we're grateful to begin this next chapter together as a church family, trusting God to provide every step of the way.

How does this support our mission?

Our mission hasn't changed—we exist to honor God and make disciples of Jesus Christ who love well.

This isn't primarily about acquiring a place to meet. It's about creating an environment that helps us live out that calling more effectively. Additional space would allow us to welcome more people, strengthen ministry to children, students, and families, invest in discipleship and leadership development, gather more regularly as one church, and extend greater hospitality to our neighbors.

We pray this becomes another tool God uses to help us faithfully love people, make disciples of Jesus, and serve Seattle.

What excites leadership most about this opportunity?

More than anything else, we are looking ahead to what God might do through our church in the years to come.

Throughout the building tours, one comment kept coming up: "It feels like home." While we know the church is ultimately the people of God—not a place—we've been grateful to see our church family begin imagining what life together could look like in a space that supports worship, hospitality, discipleship, and community throughout the week.

Beginning August 23, we'll have the opportunity to start building that life together as we gather there each Sunday. Even as we continue our Home in the City campaign and work toward closing, we're excited to begin making this space a home for our church family.

We picture children growing up in the faith, college students encountering Jesus, families finding community, leaders being developed, and people from every stage of life taking their next step with Him. That's what gives us the greatest sense of anticipation as we prayerfully step into this next chapter.

Finances

Can we afford this?

Yes—we believe this is financially achievable, and we wouldn't be pursuing it if we didn't.

Over the past several weeks, we've carefully evaluated the financial implications of this purchase alongside trusted advisors, lenders, and our elder team. We've considered both the upfront costs and the long-term responsibility of owning and maintaining a property, and we've been encouraged that this is a realistic and sustainable path for our church.

Like purchasing a home, owning a building changes how we budget. Instead of primarily paying rent, we'll steward resources toward a mortgage, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and future repairs. While those expenses look different, we believe they're a faithful investment in creating a stable home for ministry for many years to come.


Beginning worship gatherings in the building doesn't change our financial plan. We're grateful for the opportunity to begin meeting there during the closing period, while continuing to trust God to provide through the Home in the City campaign as we move toward purchasing the property.

Why do we believe this is a wise financial decision?

Opportunities like this don't come along very often. It's uncommon for an existing church facility to become available in a way that aligns so closely with our ministry needs, long-term vision, and financial capacity.

The property is already well suited for church ministry, allowing us to focus our time and resources on serving people rather than making extensive renovations or adapting another type of building. Combined with the relational nature of this opportunity and the financial planning that's already taken place, we believe this is a faithful investment in the future ministry of Every Nation Church Seattle.

Throughout this process, we've asked not only whether we could pursue this opportunity, but whether we should. After much prayer, wise counsel, and careful evaluation, we believe the answer is yes.

How will we pay for it?

We've intentionally approached this opportunity through a combination of church reserves, financing, and the generosity of our church family and ministry partners.

Every Nation Church Seattle has been preparing responsibly for the future by maintaining financial reserves. As part of that commitment, the church is contributing $100,000 from existing reserves toward the $350,000 down payment. Phase 1 of our Home in the City campaign is focused on raising the remaining $250,000 needed to complete that down payment.

This allows us to pursue this opportunity without relying on any single source of funding.

Rather than treating this as a one-time fundraising effort, we've chosen a phased campaign. Phase 2 will build on that foundation as we continue discerning the long-term needs and opportunities for the space, and we'll share more details as those plans are finalized.

We're also grateful that Hallows has given us the opportunity to begin gathering in the building during the closing period through a no-cost lease. While that allows us to begin worshiping there on August 23, our fundraising goal remains the same as we continue moving toward closing.

As we celebrate twenty-five years of God's faithfulness, we're inviting everyone who has been part of the ENCS story—our church family, alumni, ministry partners, and friends—to prayerfully consider how they might participate in this next chapter.

What changes financially if we own a building?

Like owning a home instead of renting, owning a building changes some of our expenses—but it doesn't change our commitment to wise financial planning.

Instead of primarily paying rent, we'll budget for a mortgage, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and future repairs. We've been evaluating those ongoing costs carefully throughout this process, and we remain committed to wise, long-term stewardship as we move toward ownership.

While the categories in our budget will look different, our commitment to faithful stewardship remains the same. Our goal is to care well for the resources God has entrusted to us so this space can continue serving our church and our city for years to come.

Church Life

How will this change our Sunday gatherings?

One of the things we're most excited about is gathering together as one church family again.

Beginning August 23, we’ll once again gather as one church family for Sunday worship in our new home.

For the past two years, we've met in two Sunday gatherings because of the limitations of our current space. While we're grateful God has continued to grow our church, we've also experienced some of the challenges that come with being divided across multiple services. Gathering together again allows more of our church to worship together, build relationships across generations, celebrate as one body, and simply know one another more deeply.

There's something deeply meaningful about seeing our whole church worship, pray, celebrate, and serve together in the same room again. Moving back to one gathering also creates a healthier rhythm for many of our volunteers, allowing more people to both worship and serve while strengthening the relationships that make our church feel like family.

Will we still gather around tables?

Absolutely. Gathering around tables has become an important part of how we worship, build relationships, and engage with God's Word together. We fully intend to continue making that a regular part of our Sunday gatherings.

In many ways, this space makes that even easier. With more room to gather as one church family, we have greater flexibility to share meals, discuss the sermon together, and continue growing as disciples in community.

The may look a little different from week to week as we settle into the space, but the heart behind it won't change. We're excited about the opportunities this space provides to deepen the relationships and discipleship that have become such an important part of our church life.

How will this better serve families and children?

Few investments matter more than the next generation.

This space allows us to create environments designed specifically for children while giving families more opportunities to grow together in the life of the church. Dedicated classrooms, family-friendly spaces, and room to gather throughout the week helps us care for children and support parents as they disciple them to know and follow Jesus.

One of the things that stood out to us as we talked with the Hallows staff was hearing stories of children growing up in this building. They shared memories of kids running through the halls, playing games together, and building friendships that lasted for years. As we prepare to begin gathering here on August 23, we find ourselves thinking, "We'd love to have stories like that someday."

What becomes possible in a space like this?

This isn't simply about having more space—it's about having a place that better supports the way we believe God has called us to make disciples.

We're grateful for the Hub and all God has done there. At the same time, this space gives us greater flexibility to gather, pray, disciple, share meals, develop leaders, and care for people in ways that fit the life of our church. Rather than working around the limitations of our current layout, we now have a space that more naturally supports the rhythms of ministry we already value.

As we begin gathering here, our hope isn’t to simply fill a calendar with more activities. It's to faithfully steward a space that helps people encounter Jesus, grow in community, and take their next step in following Him

Practical Questions

How will parking compare to the Hub?

Like The Hub, most people will continue to park on nearby neighborhood streets.

This building doesn't have a dedicated parking lot, and street parking will continue to be the primary option on Sunday mornings. If you have mobility needs or are dropping someone off, accessible parking and a designated drop-off area will be available.

We know parking matters, and after spending time in the neighborhood and learning from Hallows' experience, we're encouraged by what we've found.

We recommend parking on Wallingford Ave N or in the surrounding neighborhood streets. All parking nearby is free and not zoned.

Please observe posted parking signs and help us be good neighbors by treating the surrounding neighborhood with care and respect.

What if I rely on public transit?

This is one of the tradeoffs we've spent the most time talking and praying about.

One of the things we love about The Hub is how easy it is to get to by light rail, and we know this move will make Sunday mornings less convenient for some people. We didn't take that lightly.

While this location isn't as close to Link, it is still served by several bus routes and remains just minutes from the University of Washington and even closer to Seattle Pacific University.

Routes 31 and 32 stop less than a block away at Wallingford Ave N & N 37th St and provide a convenient connection to the U District Link station. Route 62 also serves the neighborhood, with stops along Stone Way N about a 15-minute walk from the building.

For the most current routes and schedules, we recommend using Google Maps or your preferred transit app to plan your trip.

For many, getting to church by transit will still be very possible—it will simply require a different route than it does today. We know this change will affect people differently, but after much prayer and conversation, we believe this is the right next step for our church family.

Will this change how we reach students and our city?

Will this help us continue reaching people with the gospel? That became one of the defining questions throughout this process.

Our location is changing, but our mission isn't. Reaching university students has always been one of the ways God has called ENCS to make disciples in Seattle, and that calling isn't changing. At the same time, we're excited to become more deeply rooted in a neighborhood where we can build relationships with families, neighbors, and our broader community throughout the week.

We've also seen that God often works through relationships, personal invitations, and the faithful presence of His people. We believe this move allows us to continue reaching students while also becoming more deeply rooted in a neighborhood where we can love, serve, and disciple people for years to come.

Our Partnership with Hallows

What happened to the Hallows Church?

After years of faithfully serving the Wallingford community, the leadership of The Hallows Church prayerfully discerned that this chapter of their ministry was coming to a close.

As they looked toward the future, they weren't simply hoping to sell a building. Their hope was to see the ministry continue. They desired for the space to remain a place where the gospel is proclaimed, disciples are made, and the neighborhood is faithfully served.

Through relationships and many conversations, The Hallows Church invited Every Nation Church Seattle to consider stewarding the next chapter of what God is doing in this space. We have been deeply moved by their humility, generosity, and heart to see the gospel continue to be proclaimed in Wallingford.

What will happen to The Hallows congregation?

This has been one of the questions we've cared about most throughout this process.

The people of The Hallows Church are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We want to approach this opportunity with the same care, humility, and honor that has characterized the conversations between our churches from the very beginning.

As they prayerfully discern their next steps, our shared desire is that every person and family would continue growing as disciples of Jesus. We also hope each person finds a healthy local church where they can continue to grow, worship, and serve, wherever God leads them.

As we begin this next chapter together, our hope is that anyone from The Hallows Church who chooses to make ENCS their church home would find a church family committed to walking alongside them through this season. We want them to experience genuine love, patience, and hospitality every step of the way.

How have ENCS and Hallows been working together throughout this process?

One of the unexpected gifts of this journey has been the relationship God has built between our two churches.

From the very beginning, we've approached this opportunity with prayer, openness, and mutual trust. We've shared our stories, walked through the building together, asked honest questions, and sought God's wisdom each step of the way.

More than anything, those conversations have reminded us that this has always been about more than a building. Rather than feeling like a transaction, this has felt like two churches walking alongside one another, united by a shared desire to see the gospel continue to flourish in Seattle.

That spirit of partnership has continued as Hallows has graciously made it possible for us to begin gathering in the building during the closing period. We're deeply grateful for their generosity and the way they've continued to walk alongside us through this transition.

Next Steps

What's next in this process?

Sharing this opportunity with our church was an important milestone, but it wasn't the end of the journey.


Beginning August 23, we'll begin gathering for Sunday worship in our new home while continuing to move toward closing on the purchase. We're grateful for Hallows' generosity in making that possible through a no-cost lease during the closing period.

While there are still important steps ahead—including completing the purchase and continuing our Home in the City campaign—we're excited to begin this next chapter together as a church family.

We'll continue sharing updates and inviting our church family to celebrate, pray, ask questions, and participate together as God leads.

How can I be praying?

From the very beginning, we've wanted this process to be marked by prayer, humility, and a desire to follow God's leading.

One of the ways we've been praying together as a church is through Ephesians 3:20–21:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."


As exciting as this new season is, our deepest prayer isn't simply for a building. It's that God would be glorified, His kingdom would continue to grow in Seattle, and that He would do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine through both ENCS and The Hallows.

How can I be involved?

It's been a gift to see our church walk through this season together. From attending tours and asking thoughtful questions to praying faithfully and celebrating what God may be doing, your engagement has been a gift.

As we begin this next chapter together, we’d encourage you to stay engaged, keep praying, continue asking questions, and help us make our new home a welcoming place for everyone who walks through the doors.

As God leads you, we'd invite you to consider making a financial commitment toward this opportunity. We know every person's response will look different, but we trust that God will provide through the faithful obedience of His people.

We're grateful that this isn't a journey our elders are taking alone. It's one we're walking together as a church family, trusting God to lead us every step of the way.

How can I stay updated?

We'll continue sharing updates as our transition unfolds and new information becomes available. Our goal is to communicate openly and consistently through Sunday gatherings, email, the church app, and our other regular communication channels. We want our church family to feel informed, included, and invited to walk through this next chapter together.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions?

We know this opportunity raises thoughtful questions, and we'd love to continue the conversation.

If there's something you'd like to ask or talk through, please reach out to one of our elders or staff. We'd be happy to listen, answer questions, and continue the conversation as we seek God's leading together.
Thank you for walking through this season with us. We're grateful for the way our church has responded with prayer, thoughtful questions, and a shared desire to faithfully follow God's leading.

We look forward to seeing what God will continue to do in and through our church in the days ahead.