Good Shepherd Baptist Church began as a mission project from the University Baptist Church of Seattle in 1960, with Reverend Bernard Turner as our first pastor. We held our first worship services at a local elementary school, quickly growing our congregation. By 1961, 65 founding members signed our charter.
The 1960s were pivotal for growth, thanks to Reverend Turner’s leadership. During Turner’s study leave in 1968, the church was served by Curtis McCormack (an intern) and Reverend Orval Taylor as supervisor.
In 1971, Reverend Charles Elven joined us, introducing new worship styles and traditions like the Festival of Faith.
Throughout the 1970s, our focus remained on social action, with over 100 active members. We established a Long-Term Task Force, aiming to be a supportive Christian community dedicated to unconditional love. In the late 70s, led by Reverend Elven, Reverend Tom Neilson, and Reverend Curtis Smith, we participated in a network of house churches but decided to part ways with the House Church Network in 1979. Reverend Dick Birdsall served as interim minister in 1979, followed by Reverend Bill Painter.
In the early 1980s, we transitioned to lay leadership with Lee Campbell and Reverend Jerry Sutton. After Lee Campbell moved out of state, a new covenant was signed with Reverend Sutton, and he served until 1993. Reverend Dave Roberts served as interim minister for GSBC on a part-time basis for six months.
Reverend Joyce Lawlor became Good Shepherd’s pastor from June of 1994 until the fall of 2003. Introspection and prayer were the foundations of Reverend Lawlor’s ministry.
In the spring of 2003, under the guidance of congregant Lynn Melby, the Good Shepherd congregation adopted an Ultimate Goal Statement and a 10-year Vision Statement. Subsequently, an envisioning Committee was established, and by September of 2004, much work was done to explore the options of:
1. Senior Housing
2. Community Gardens
3. Child Care
4. Arboretum/Wedding Facility
5. Church Merger/Co-op
6. Building Expansion/Modification
During the years including 2003 – 2004, Reverend Judy Gay served as Interim Minister, and subsequently followed by Reverend Peter Koshi as Interim Minister in 2004 – 2005.
M. Christopher Boyer was called to begin his Pastorate as the Minister of Good Shepherd on Palm Sunday 2005.
Good Shepherd has ordained several ministers in the past 18 years and the first of them was Reverend Boyer in 2005. He served GSBC from 2005-2021. Before Reverend Boyer’s time, GSBC donated 2.5 acres of its property to support the building of a senior housing project. Reverend Boyer was instrumental in facilitating the building of Shepherd’s Garden, the senior housing facility that now shares our campus. In addition to the senior housing facility, GSBC partnered with a local foundation to create Shepherd’s Village, a space for houseless residents.
Reverend Boyer completed his ministry in the fall of 2021. His ministry is marked by community outreach projects he helped to facilitate. In addition to Shepherd’s Garden and Shepherd’s Village, we have thriving community gardens on our campus. Our building currently houses three additional congregations and five Recovery Groups. Many of our “Vision Statement” goals have come to fruition since 2003!
In the winter of 2024, we welcomed our current pastor, Reverend Kenneth Gray from Virginia, to lead our congregation. He is an excellent addition to the GSBC family, bringing a warm spirit, Biblical wisdom, and musical talent to our worship services.