Hi, my name is Allan Olson and this is my testimony on how community has helped me grow. Little bit of a preface I grew up in eastern Washington, knew the lord and grew up in a christian home. I was saved when I was nine and baptised at 17. Grew up with family and community, however once I moved away to college things changed a little. I had to deal with a pretty incredible hardship when I was 19 years old, my Dad had passed away and I basically stopped my walk with Christ.
So fast forward through a few years of independence, doing my own thing and working towards a career after school. I lived a pretty “normal” life but I started to feel like there was more to what I was doing. I had lost some zeal and drive. So I started reading my bible that my Dad had given me back when I was around 15 or so. Got prayer back into my life and had even tried going to a couple of different churches. I was searching for a calling I guess you could say without having to fully “give in” to a community. Well God made some moves.
I was transferred back to Kirkland for work after the company had gone through some restructuring. The original plan was for me to go to a building in Shoreline and at the last minute (literally) it got changed to Kirkland. So here I am starting my new place of work and I meet three families that at the time were employed there who also go to CCK. I was starting to see what was going on but for some reason I had some issues with visiting their church right away. Well I got invited to attend service a couple of times and didn’t accept. Finally Josiah Surface invited me again and after a pretty lengthy and fruitful conversation at work about community I said I would come visit. Well it was Easter sunday so I went, because everyone goes to church on Easter, right? From that day my life has never been quite the same, it has been exponentially better.
I got plugged into a homegroup. The first time going to Tyler and Bianca McCuens homegroup it was summertime and they had all gone down to Juanita beach for volleyball and fellowship. I was taken aback at how everyone showed genuine compassion about what was going on in eachothers lives. From this point on I was on a mission to be more involved and devoted to community and number one, to Christ again.
So in the months to come I went to several services, went through the CCK 201 and 301 core classes and became a member. Met with all of the Pastors and Elders and grew a relationship with all of them. My living situation changed for the better (much better). I live in a beautiful house in Bothell and pay less than what I had previously. Im going to school in pursuit of a truer calling that God has for me. Discipleship has been a key part of my life and growth. I’m devoting myself to Christ and living in His alignment. I can testify that when you align yourself with Gods heart, His desires for you, blessings will follow. Not just personal blessings but they will overflow into your friends and family. My family back in eastern Washington is now walking with the Lord again too! I also am a youth leader with CCK in their Revolutione Church. So many great things are happening!
I guess the amazing thing about all of this is that this all has transpired in about two short years. My life has completely changed. Christ through community has given me a new passion, zeal and just LOVE!!! It’s truly amazing to have a family that is devoted to Christ and share the same heart as you. Any hardships that will come in the future I have the strength of God with me and an amazing community to back it up.
Want to give your testimony at Christ Church Kirkland? Contact us and we’d love to have you share your story too!