CCC Launches PEACE Center

Over the past year, we’ve shared exciting news of 21 partnering churches that have committed to bringing global PEACE to African countries. Now, for the first time in Saddleback history, our mentoring efforts have led to local PEACE reaching those in need through the launch of the first non-Saddleback PEACE Center.

On March 4, Capital Christian Center (CCC) in Olympia, Washington put faith into action by opening the doors to their very own PEACE Center. This mighty step will assist people in need through local PEACE—the “A” goal of our Daring Faith campaign.

Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dave Minton, CCC has been a major advocate for sharing the PEACE Plan around the world, as evident through their commitment to install global PEACE in Ghana.

Their latest decision to open a PEACE Center came about after several staff members from CCC toured Saddleback’s Lake Forest facilities in 2016. As they actively implemented global PEACE initiatives around the world, they were now seeking ways to increase local PEACE efforts closer to home. Little did they know that one member, Kim Phillips, would be called by God to help launch their own PEACE Center in Olympia.

“The moment I stepped into Saddleback’s PEACE Center, I began to cry,” recalls Kim, who now acts as CCC’s PEACE Center Director. “The Lord spoke to my heart and said, ‘This is it. This is what you must do to bridge the gap between the church and the community.’”

In an act of obedience, Kim and other CCC staff members returned home and started gathering volunteers and resources to make the vision a reality. For support and guidance, they leaned on Joanne Williamson, Saddleback’s Lake Forest Food Pantry Manager, and Stacey Woodhart who manage Saddleback’s community resources. Through conference calls and detailed emails, the CCC leaders were trained on ways to bring the PEACE Center model from California to Washington.

Once plans started falling into place, they made the decision to go full steam ahead. In just three months, dedicated volunteers remodeled an entire building that would soon serve as their new PEACE Center.

Additional direction came in part from Saddleback’s PEACE Plan Pastor, Mike Constantz who suggested they repurpose the unused building after noticing it lay abandoned in their parking lot. “I recommended it be used for their new PEACE Center,” says Pastor Mike. “After input from our PEACE Center staff, they've officially launched. It’s really great to see the multiplication model of another Saddleback initiative.”

After countless hours of hard work by dedicated volunteers, Capital Christian’s new PEACE Center opened on March 4th. During a time of vision casting, two residents from the community dropped by after reading the sign, “Food Pantry is Open.”

With minimal marketing efforts, the PEACE Center team immediately recognized the potential to connect the community to Christ through practical resources. Located on a busy thoroughfare that runs through Olympia, the Center operates three days a week during normal business hours. Their goal is to equip more volunteers to expand service hours and increase community resources.

Currently they offer a Food Pantry, ESL classes, homework club, CPR, and life skills classes focused on health and hygiene. In the brief time the PEACE Center has been open, word has quickly spread throughout the community. This momentum has led to future plans to add social services, counseling, and transition classes for senior citizens.

Just this week, their PEACE Center was given six laptops, which will allow them to expand their outreach through computer courses, career training, and other technology-focused classes. The entire church has rallied around this new purpose by donating an abundance of food and supplies to the Food Pantry.

“It’s not just about the food,” says Kim. “It’s about using these resources as a tool to invite people into a relationship with God and his church. Our goal is to partner with them as they create movement in their lives—by giving them hope, value, and dignity. What surprises them most is that we don’t ask for anything in return. We just ask ‘what can the church do for you?’”

This commitment to serve Olympia’s residents has equally blessed those who act as the hands and feet of Jesus. For many, the idea of local missions was a new concept. Yet in the process, they’ve discovered it to be their true gift and now have an outlet to volunteer in a facility that is connected to their church.

“It’s our job to let people know that God loves them,” adds Kim, “by being present, and walking in peace, hope, love, and grace. And through that, we can really be a bridge to the community, by changing people’s vision of the church. Right now, our PEACE Center is functioning on a small scale. But it’s a beginning and we can’t wait to see what God will do in our community through our little PEACE Center.”

To help meet our Daring Faith goal to assist people in need, contact, foodpantry@saddleback.com.