It is our desire to be in a location where there is blatant homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction, mental illness, prostitution, homosexuality, and other detrimental behav-ior. We believe that is where Jesus would be found. There is a building for lease that is located in Capitol Hill on Broadway Ave. It is located next to an area where drug abuse occurs and where many other inappropriate behaviors occur. The building comes with a parking lot that is available for having outside activities like concerts, drama, and feeding program.

This building is very large (5,000 sq ft) but would require minor remodeling– need to build walls for multi-purpose room; need to remodel the kitchen, prayer room, office; security, cameras, telephone, sound.

We are currently in negotiations with the owner of the building and are unable to give specifics at this time. We can say that just the taxes and utilities alone will be around $3,000 a month. We can also say that leases are very expensive in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and this building is no exception. However, we are trusting that we can work out an affordable lease with the owner. We will give you details when it is feasible to do so.

Is it Too Expensive?
Some will say that it is too expensive-it is a waste of money. The first thing that needs to be realized is that rent is very expensive on Capitol Hill. Also there are very few buildings that include a parking lot with the building.

Businesses in the area are willing to pay high rents to sell pornography, provocative clothing (sadomasochistic clothing and devices, sexually deviate lingerie), occult paraphernalia, etc., so why not pay high rent (Maybe the owner will give us a great discount so that we can afford the building-pray about this.) to help change a community?

Thousands of dollars are spent on art, entertainment, and the environment. These are good things, but doesn't a person have more value?

If the homeless, addicted, and mentally ill become productive members of society, isn't it worth it? Some may say, the Hope Center of Seattle will not change lives-they are correct. There is nothing magical about HCS itself. But HCS, with loving volunteers, and the Spirit of the living God, is a powerful combination.
 

What Would Jesus Do?
This is a common saying in Christendom. It has become mostly just words and a means to sell jewelry and clothing. Let's put it into action.

If a person is diagnosed with HIV, what better place to receive that diagnosis than a place where a person is given hope in the midst of despair?

If a woman finds herself pregnant, how about a place to get help with the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that come with the pregnancy?

If a person is tired of the lifestyle of addiction and wants to get away from it for a few hours, what better place than somewhere that offers literature, music, videos, and counseling to help them understand there is hope and their life can be different.

What if a businessman is having a stressful day and just wants someplace to take a coffee break away from all the craziness of Capitol Hill?

How does all this happen? By being where the people are located; being in the midst of where they live and work; by intimately rubbing shoulders with the people.

It sounds like something Jesus would do. Isn't it time for Christians to do it? We have beautiful church sanctuaries, drive fancy new cars, wear the most expensive clothes, and live in homes bigger than we need. How about the church sharing its wealth to help the rejected of society?

As Bill Wilson of Metro Ministries says: "To the world, you may just be somebody...but to somebody…you may be the world."