“What’s that building being constructed next to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church?” someone asks. It’s a story of faith and community unfolding before our eyes. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church stands as a beacon of hope. It actively addresses homelessness in Seattle.
Good Shepherd began its mission in 1951. Trinity Lutheran Church moved. The Northwest District of the Missouri Synod started a mission. It aimed to establish a new interracial congregation. This took place in the vacated building.
Even then, Good Shepherd responded to community needs. It worked with the NAACP, the Urban League, and CORE. They abolished race designation on driver licenses. The church also had a parish school. It had 18 pupils.
In the 1960s, Good Shepherd expanded its outreach. The social hall hosted the Ryther Center. Seattle Public Schools used it too. It served as an accredited school for dropouts. A Brotherhood Fund helped the needy. A scholarship program was initiated. The church cooperated with the Neighborhood Food Bank. Black Youth Unlimited became a summer program. It enrolled over 80 students. Alcoholics Anonymous held weekly meetings here. By 1971, the church grew to over 209 members.
In the early 1970s, the church became independent. It separated from the Northwest District subsidy program. The Aid Association for Lutherans became active. Several children attended Concordia Lutheran School. Four members taught there. They were Rhonda Konkel, Roselyn Newton, Willie Pugh, and Pat Mowbray.
The 1980s saw a large Vacation Bible School. Over 100 students enrolled. Audrey Carter led the program. Jean and Clato Barnes canvassed for participants.
The 1990s brought more excitement to Good Shepherd. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Silver Advent Tea drew crowds. Vacation Bible School averaged 60 to 80 students. In 1999, Crescent School joined Good Shepherd. It served twenty pre-school children. After ten years of planning, they broke ground for a new community center in 1997. Laborers For Christ and congregation members completed it. It was dedicated in 1999.
The 2000s introduced Pastor Steven Olsen and his wife Brenda. Pastor Olsen’s outreach created new partnerships. HYCAN had offices in the center. Pastor Olsen helped start a new Ethiopian mission church. It relocated to Beacon Hill.
Community outreach to the homeless began in the mid 2010s. Pastor Olsen invited Nicklesville encampments to the property. In 2015, they partnered with LIHI. Together they created Seattle’s first tiny house village. An Ethiopian Adventist congregation met in the building on Saturdays. An Alcoholics Anonymous group met six days a week. Two Al-Anon groups met in the evenings. An Ethiopian Lutheran congregation met on Sunday afternoons for two years.
Partnering with LIHI, they completed the Good Shepherd House. This provides 85 units for the homeless. The seven-story building has efficiency and studio units. It also has a three-bedroom apartment. The 16-month construction finished in May 2024. They now assist LIHI. They host asylum seeker orientations. These orientations cover school enrollment, healthcare, English classes, and legal services.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is committed to its diverse community. By opening its doors, it stewards its gifts. The church actively supports its neighbors. The church offers help to old and new residents alike.