A Journey of Faith and Transformation

For over 47 years, Living Hope has undergone seasons of growth, change, and renewal. Through name changes, leadership transitions, and evolving affiliations, one thing has remained constant—our desire to follow God’s leading and serve our community with faith and love.

Our Foundations

Living Hope was originally founded as Coeur d’Alene Christian Center, sent out from Abbott Loop Church in Anchorage, Alaska. In the 1990s, the church leadership transitioned to an affiliation with Ministers Fellowship International (MFI), a movement based in Portland, Oregon. Then, in 2009, we joined New Frontiers USA (now called Confluence) and changed our name to Prairie Avenue Community Church.

Partnering with Confluence

Confluence is a family of churches working together to strengthen existing congregations, plant new churches, and equip leaders. Because of the size of the U.S., Confluence is organized into five regions, each led by an apostolic leader. We are actively engaged with Confluence churches in the Northwest, partnering in key events such as:

• Newday NW – A summer camp for youth

• Celebration NW – A family gathering for multiple churches

• Leadership Conferences & Gatherings – Training and equipping for pastors and church leaders

Over the years, these partnerships have enriched our church, fostering deep relationships and strengthening our commitment to God’s mission.

A New Season: Resetting & Replanting

In August 2023, during Celebration NW, God prophetically led us into a new season of change. We believe He is resetting and replanting Living Hope for a fresh move of His Spirit.

A pastor from the Middle East shared a powerful message about how Christians endure seasons of suffering by fixing their eyes on Jesus. He illustrated this with a story: In his country, without refrigeration, people must embrace one fruit season at a time—letting go of mangos to enjoy oranges. Likewise, to fully embrace what God is doing now, we must release the past.

A Vision of Renewal

The following day, a prophetic vision was shared by Steve Whitmer:

"In the middle of the night, with no moon or stars, I saw a big house where people were faithfully keeping candles burning, ensuring there was oil. Then I saw God’s hand reaching for a reset button. The Lord said, ‘I am going to reset the lights.’ When the breaker switch was reset, the entire house lit up—light pouring into the surrounding area. The rooms were filled with provisions, representing the gifts and graces the Holy Spirit has given to the people in the church. This is a time of preparation—for people to awaken, lean into what God is saying, and participate in what He is about to do."

Moving Forward in Faith

We believe this is God’s call for us to awaken and step into a new season—not just as a church, but as individuals empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are preparing for what He is about to do and invite you to be part of this journey with us.

Fundamentals

We believe that the Holy Spirit works to lead the church and our individual lives. This is a part of our foundational beliefs. He is intricately involved in how we live out our Vision-Mission-Values.

The following is  how we define  Vision-Mission-Values, and these need to be clearly defined so a church can thrive. 

Habakkuk 2:2-3 says: “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.’

The Vision, Mission, and Values are uniquely different, but they work closely together to create unity and direction for the church.

The Vision is an overarching direction the church is moving toward. We me not be able to fully accomplish it, but it provides a clear direction that the church is aiming at. At Living Hope Church, the Vision is:  We live to spread the Good News and equip followers of Jesus to multiply the Kingdom of God.

The Mission are specific tasks to accomplish the vision. It is the “What We Do”. The Mission that we are actively working in are Corporate gatherings, Community Groups, Intentional Discipleship, and Serving the World. Everything that we do as a church, is done in an effort to: Spread the Good News and equip followers of Jesus to multiply the Kingdom of God.

The Values are who we are. These are our identity. When you meet and get to know the people at Living Hope Church, these are what we want to be known by. These values are the Biblical culture and heart by which we are motivated to live out the Mission. As we “Spread the Good News, and equip followers of Jesus to multiply the Kingdom of God,” our values are our heartbeat,  so that our ongoing effort aligns with Jesus’.

We strive towards Vision, working out our Mission, while growing and being strengthened by our Values. OR We strive towards Vision, through our Mission as we walk in our  Values (identity). OR We are focused on our Vision and live out our Mission as we walk in our Values (identity).

We use Jesus’ Commission as a simple analogy of how Vision, Mission, and Values all work together.

Matthew 28:18-20 (BSB) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Mark 16:15-18 (BSB) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

John 20:21-23 (BSB) Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” 22 When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”

Acts 1:7-8 (BSB) Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

VISION: the Good News is spread to the ends of the earth

MISSION: disciples who make disciples

VALUES: the example Jesus lived, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the living
Word of God