"In the summer of 2023, my wife Lizzie and I embarked on a new chapter of our lives—marrying in July and purchasing a home in the Renton Highlands just a month later. It was during this exciting season that we found our church home at Highlands Community Church. From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt welcomed and blessed to be in a place where we could hear God’s Word, worship Him, and grow closer to Him. We immediately became part of a community group where we gather weekly to discuss sermons, Bible passages, and Christian literature.

As I settled into this new chapter, I realized I was being called to a deeper relationship with Christ. I began reading the Bible more regularly and praying again, seeking guidance for my life. For years, I had identified as a follower of Jesus, but I felt the need to look inward and ask myself: Was I truly following Him? While I knew about Christ and understood His sacrifice, I had taken His love for granted. It was through attending gatherings at Highlands that I made the decision to fully trust in Jesus as my personal Savior and dedicate my life to following and serving Him. In August, I felt a calling to declare my faith publicly to the congregation by getting baptized. Looking back, I’m amazed at how Highlands Church has become a bridge that brought me closer to Jesus and to a supportive community of believers."

- Zac Wildin

"Two years ago, Misti and I were invited to join a community group for "Friendsgiving" at Highlands. We were still relatively new to the church, and we hadn’t formed many close relationships yet. From the moment we walked into the house that evening, we felt something we didn’t anticipate—an immediate sense of welcome and belonging. It was clear right away that this group was special, and little did we know, this group would become an extension of our family.

Over the past two years, this community group has grown to mean so much to us. We’ve shared in life’s highs and lows together, and the support and love we’ve received have been invaluable. One of the most significant times we felt the strength of this group was during our struggles with starting a family. The journey wasn’t easy, and it didn’t unfold as quickly as we had hoped. But through it all, our community surrounded us with prayer, encouragement, and unwavering support. We always knew we weren’t alone in our struggles.

And then, the day we’d been praying for arrived—our beautiful daughter Isabella was born! It felt like the whole group celebrated with us, and the love didn’t stop there. Soon after Isabella arrived, members of the group organized meal deliveries to help us in those early weeks. It was a reminder of just how much this community cared for us.

We’re so thankful for the relationships we’ve built here; one member, who is a real estate agent, also helped us find and purchase our first home! As we settle into this new chapter, we’re excited to continue to support one another as we grow together in faith and friendship."

- Cameron & Misti Walker

“I moved to Washington from Nassau, Bahamas, about three years ago. Growing up, attending church was always an important part of my life, and I knew after moving here I wanted to find a place where I could continue to grow in my faith and connect with others. My landlord mentioned a few churches in the area, and that’s how I discovered Highlands. From the moment I visited, I felt welcome and knew this could be a place where I could belong.

When I heard about the media team, I was immediately interested. As someone pursuing a career in digital media production, it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my career passion with serving God and the church. Since joining, I’ve had the chance to serve as a technical director and camera operator, helping produce the church’s livestream for Facebook and YouTube.

Being part of the media team has been an incredible blessing. It’s given me the opportunity to meet amazing people like Stephen Bistline and David Munoz, whose kindness and support have meant so much to me. Building relationships with them and others has been a joy. Serving on a team has shown me how meaningful it is to use the gifts God has given me to make a difference. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to see how something I’m passionate about—digital media—can be used to support the church and connect with others. Through serving, I’ve built meaningful relationships and discovered a deeper sense of purpose in being part of something bigger than myself.”

- Mekhi Cash

“Arriving in a foreign country, where my language is not spoken and the culture is so different, has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. I came to Washington from Peru with some friends, and together we were looking for a healthy church where we could grow in our faith and connect with other like-minded people.

During that search, while checking Instagram, I found Iglesia Vida. Our group decided to visit and from the first day we walked in, we immediately felt welcome. As I attended more, I realized that I had not only found a church, but a family. In the moments when I have felt alone, being in a new country, surrounded by various cultures, and acclimating to a new life, the people of Iglesia Vida have been a constant reminder that I belong here.

Over time, I made the decision to get more involved in the church and begin serving. I joined the praise team, where I now play drums with a lot of passion. This step has been key to my growth, not only spiritually, but also personally. Here I have found deep friendships, purpose, and a community that encourages me to keep going.

I thank God for guiding me to this place, for the people I've met, and for the ways my life has changed since I arrived. "

- Josue