The Servant Leader

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 (NLT)

We live in an age that is being dominated by self-discovery. More than ever, people are wrestling with questions like Who am I? and What am I meant to do? From social media to Artificial Intelligence, people are searching desperately for answers. Have you noticed how strongly people define themselves by what they stand against? How our identity is increasingly tied to political views, ancestry, nationality, or cultural heritage? Many are walking away from organized religion or past philosophies, searching for belonging elsewhere. This search is shaping history: it fuels both isolation and the desperate need to belong.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This truth is at the heart of our new sermon series, Following the Servant Leader, led by our inspiring pastor, Mark Nsimbi.

A Surprising Truth About You

Whether you believe in God or not, you may already be living as a servant leader. What drives you in life? When times get tough, what gives you the strength to keep going? For many, it’s their children, grandchildren, loved ones, or even their work team. Perhaps it’s the simple joy of helping someone in real need.

Last week, I had an appointment with one of the best cardiologists in the world, Dr. Paul Huong. He’s not just a brilliant doctor; he’s a devoted husband, a father, and an incredible violinist. But what truly defines him is how he serves others with disciplined excellence. On the day of my appointment, I faced unexpected challenges:

•       I barely slept the night before.

•       I hit a rare traffic jam on I-5. (ha ha 😊)

•       I parked far away to save money.

•       I got stuck in not one, but two elevators.

•       I climbed countless stairs due to my impaired legs.

•       I wandered through multiple floors as a work around for broken elevators and my personal confusion in finding the right office.

By the time I arrived, I was exhausted. But after my appointment, something astonishing happened. Dr. Huong told his staff he’d be a minute. Then, to my shock, he grabbed a wheelchair and insisted on pushing me all the way back to my car. Here was a world-class cardiologist, a man who had led Swedish Hospital’s cardiology department for years, humbly serving a tired old pastor. People looked in amazement. But that’s what servant leaders do—they don’t just demand respect; they earn it by respecting others.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

The Gospel of Mark is a book filled with over 100 questions—meant to be read aloud, meant to challenge us into action. It is the first gospel ever written, penned by a teenage follower of Jesus named John Mark, and it reveals Jesus not as a ruler demanding service but as the ultimate Servant Leader.

Join us this week as the dynamic Pastor Linda Skinner launches this life-changing series on astonishing servant leadership.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Prayers That Shape Tomorrow

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. – Psalm 78: 4-7

One of the greatest stresses in life is our concern about tomorrow. It seems like every day, there’s something new to worry about—the older we get, the more responsibilities and uncertainties pile up. But the truth is, tomorrow is coming, whether we’re ready or not.

Think about it: Have you ever left for a vacation without any preparation? Probably not. We make packing lists, check our routes, and plan ahead. Preparation is especially critical for something as challenging as backpacking into the mountains—where every detail matters. In the same way, shouldn’t we be preparing for our spiritual journeys into tomorrow?

This Sunday, our dynamic Pastor Mark Nsimbi will be delivering an inspiring sermon titled “Prayers That Shape Tomorrow.” What better way to prepare for what lies ahead than through powerful, intentional prayer? This message might just be the most important one you hear this year.

I’m reminded of my childhood in church, where loving members of our church family prayed fervently for the younger generation. These weren’t just words—they were prayers in action. They stood behind each child, supporting us with their faith, and we could see God moving in our lives. Those prayers shaped our tomorrows and gave us strength, hope, and direction.

This Sunday let’s make a choice to stop worrying about tomorrow and start praying for it. Imagine the peace and power we could experience if we replaced anxiety with faith-filled prayers.

Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m., in person or online. You won’t want to miss this message—it’s an opportunity to prepare for tomorrow in the best way possible.

Your friend for life,

 Pastor Tim White 

GO: Learning to Pray Outside of Yourself!

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. — Matthew 28:18-20

 Dear Church Family,

My prayer for our church is simple: that we would grow in learning how to pray outside of ourselves. Imagine husbands faithfully praying for their wives, parents covering their children in prayer, and children discovering the power of lifting up their classmates, teachers, and principals. Picture how our workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities could be transformed if we genuinely prayed for our clients, coworkers, neighbors, and friends—not for personal gain, but out of love.

The Bible uses the word “Go” 1,542 times, while the word “Stay” appears just 62. This shows us something profound: God calls us to be a people of action. He commands us to go—to live out His promises, to serve, to bless, and to pray.

Think about this: Have you ever met a salesperson who truly prays for their customers? Someone who genuinely wants the best for them, rejoices in their successes, and grieves with them in hard times. You might think, “What’s up with this person?” Their love and care are noticeable—odd in a good way.

That’s the power of prayer. When we pray, we can’t help but love. And when we love, we can’t help but pray. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s, giving us His perspective of others. It shifts our focus from ourselves and helps us see the incredible worth of the people around us. God has a way of picking up a nobody and turning them into a somebody in front of everybody. And when we pray for others, we begin to realize just how much of a somebody they are in His eyes.

Join me this Sunday, January 19th, at 10:30 AM as I share this message God has laid on my heart. We’ll be meeting in person by the waterfall or online for those who can’t attend in person. Vanessa Love will bless us with her singing, and together, we’ll dive deeper into what it means to be the people God has called us to be.

I can’t wait to see how God moves in and through our prayers!

Your friend for life,

Pastor Tim White

Prayer: A Lifetime Art

 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face continually.”  —1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

Have you ever been struck by how much room there is to grow in your life? It’s that time of year again—a time to reflect, dream, and seek inspiration. While doing a little research, I came across some mind-blowing accomplishments of human devotion that truly amazed me:

• Dominic O’Brien, an eight-time World Memory Champion, can memorize a deck of cards in under a minute. He can recite back a string of thousands of numbers through memory techniques.

• Rubik’s Cube Solvers can complete the puzzle in under four seconds.

• Miyoko Shida Rigolo balances a feather on a series of interlinked sticks, displaying a mesmerizing level of focus and precision.

• Alexey Molchanov, a freediver, can hold his breath for over eight minutes.

• Grandmaster Timur Gareyev can play multiple chess games at once—while blindfolded.

• Hyperpolyglots can learn and fluently speak dozens of languages, sometimes more than 50.

These examples show us the astonishing potential we each have when we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to something. Behind every one of these feats is thousands of hours of practice, focus, and determination.

So, as we dive into Pastor Mark’s new series: Prayer: Your Superpower, let’s reflect on what it means to approach prayer with the same passion and dedication. What would happen if we saw prayer as an art—a skill we could refine and grow over a lifetime? Prayer isn’t just a momentary act; it’s a lifelong pursuit, one that has the power to transform your life and ripple blessings through your family and community. Imagine the depth, strength, and intimacy with God we could achieve by committing ourselves to this “superpower.”

This Sunday at 10:30, let’s continue this journey together. Bring your questions, your heart, and your willingness to grow. I promise it will be worth it.

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” —Martin Luther

Your friend for life,

Pastor Tim White

Seeking a Magnificent God!

Recently, I have been amazed at the many ways God has shown to me His character, His love, His magnificence, His tenderness. I was sharing with my WOW group how God inspired me yet again in his magnificent ways the other night, when I was doing my before bedtime walk with Belle Bear, my sweet and feisty Cairn Terrier. She was frustrating me a bit, because it was a crispy cold night, and she wanted to sniff and explore, and I wanted her to get down to business so I could get back into the warm house. But instead of getting frustrated, I took a moment to look up at the night sky. What a picture! The dark sky sparkled with life – stars, planets, satellites, airplanes all sparkling for their creator. To the east a wispy fog bank reflected the lights of Redmond and Bellevue, adding to the beauty. I was as mesmerized at that moment with the sky as Belle was with the ground sniffing.

Everyday God displays for us how important we are to Him. Every day He gives us opportunities to see a glimpse of who He really is and who I am in His Kingdom. I’m inspired by King David’s words in Psalm 8. Stepping into those words:

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, the stars, which you have set in place, who am I that you are mindful of me and that care about me? You made me a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned me with glory and honor. You assign to me the task of caring for the work of your hands and everything and everyone that I encounter as I walk this planet. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Take some time look up, look around, look inside and seek out a God who delights in you. And delights in showing you how magnificent His creation is, and you are an integral part of that creation.

Join us for worship this Sunday. Learn more about God and about yourself.

 Blessings,

Pastor Linda Skinner