In the book of 1 Samuel it says that Hannah didn't have children. She came to the Lord and prayed to Him. She poured out her soul before the Lord, asking for a son. The Lord remembered her and in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked him of the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:11, 19-20)
The Bethel Chinese Lutheran Congregation was established in the same way Samuel was born. When Pastor Isaiah Chow and his family moved to Seattle from Hong Kong, he realized that only four Chinese churches existed but no Lutheran congregation. Throughout North America there are only five Chinese Lutheran churches which are located in Honolulu, New York, Lost Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver B.C. Pastor Chow began praying for one to be established in Seattle.
By the grace of God, The BCLC was founded in 1978 under the leading of Pastor Isaiah Chow. Since then, Pastor Chow and his wife have been devoted to serving for the expansion of the Heavenly kingdom. With praise to God, the first worship service was held at Bethel Lutheran Church Shoreline on January 1, 1978, and the congregation witnessed in the inauguration ceremony on July 1, 1979. The church has been expanding in various ministries, including youth fellowship, children Sunday school, Bible study and prayer meeting, and worship team. Also, special meetings and evangelistic events have been held and different meeting places across the Greater Seattle area have been set up. In May 1985, Pastor David Chu and Pastor Chow planted a branch church, Good Shepherd Church in South Seattle. God continued to bless the church with the offerings from the congregation members. The current permanent site on 6553 40th Avenue NE, Seattle, was bought in April 1987.
As of today, we are still expanding worship services, organizing fellowships, holding evangelistic events, and developing outreach ministries. Under the leading of God, we strive to witness God’s love by serving local communities as well as supporting missionaries around the world.