About
Refuge is a Gospel centered, Biblically-based, Reformed Church serving our Lord Jesus Christ in Lynnwood and Snohomish County, WA
Our Culture
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!” - Psalm 34:8
Refuge Church is a place of rest, where we find relationship in a reformed tradition with roots, rejoicing together as we share the good news of Jesus Christ.
These are some of the distinctives that define us...
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Some churches mirror the busyness of the world. We seek to rest in the Lord and hear from His Word and Spirit. We gather in a wooded area, set apart in a secluded corner of Lynnwood. It’s a retreat, walled with windows to see God’s creation while we worship, unplugged from the world to meditate on the Lord without distraction.- Matthew 11:28, Psalm 23:1-3
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We aren’t a megachurch: we like being a local congregation where everyone knows your name. We value family-style, cross-generational friendships whose foundations are fixed on the life-giving power of a risen Savior, seeking to be salt and light as we cultivate community in this beautiful and blessed region. - Acts 2:42, Matthew 12:48-50
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We don’t reinvent the theological wheel: we cherish the classic creeds, confessions, catechisms and five Solas of the reformed, Protestant tradition, the unifying beliefs of the historic church. We embrace expositional preaching through the entire Bible as the essential diet of engaging God’s Holy Word. - Hebrews 10:23, Psalm 18:30
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We treasure the loving work of our forefathers who faithfully followed the scriptures for thousands of years. We belong to an Alliance of churches with an historic legacy and shared accountability, and we’ve served this local community for over 50 years. - 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 90:1
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We pattern ourselves after the ancient church with regular gathering to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, lifting up the prayers of our congregation and coming together for communion at the Lord’s table with grateful hearts for His love, grace and salvation. - Psalm 5:11, Psalm 59:16
Are you weary? Tired of the world’s mad scrabble for identity? Tired of churches chasing the latest trends or compromising with culture? Celebrity pastors ticklingyour ears? In a sea of subjectivity and confusion, we invite you to find simplicity and timeless truth.
Our Beliefs
This God is my strong REFUGE & has made my way blameless. - 2 Samuel 22:33
Refuge Church is a “reformed” church in the classic sense, where we teach the Bible in a clear (expository) way, hold to historical doctrines of grace and have a high view of God’s providential care. Here are a few key beliefs and doctrines that may be helpful to know as you seek a biblical church:
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The Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. It is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of life, faith and practice.
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There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
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The Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
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All have sinned and are totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
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Salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
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God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
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All aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, guided by God’s Word and The Holy Spirit.
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Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
For deeper exploration, our church holds to the following creeds and confessions of faith:
The Five Solas of the Reformation
The Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage and Sexuality
Refuge Church is part of the Alliance of Reformed Churches.
Our Leaders
Refuge Church is led by a Consistory.
In other words, our leadership team “consists” of ministers/elders and deacons leading our church in spiritual and practical matters together. Scripture calls God our “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 3) so elders and deacons are under-shepherds, leading while in subjection to God's Word as they guide our congregation. We are also blessed with ministry leaders who provide invaluable leadership and service to our church.
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James Harleman
Minister
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Ben Keller
Elder | Worship & Youth
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Jonathan Schultz
Elder | Prayer & Member Care
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Ben Mount
Elder | Families & Teaching
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Geoff Anciaux
Deacon | Facilities
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Robin Hoynacki
Deacon | Church Administrator
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Cesar Torres
Deacon | Treasurer
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Matthew Jensen
Deacon | Mercy & Missions
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Tony Carter
Deacon | Property Management
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Debbie Willis
Children's Ministry