Sanctuary of Praise began in 1972 when Pastor Harold and Pamela Kern, (pictured right), moved to Bellevue with their son, Nathan. The Kerns moved to Bellevue from Chowchilla, CA where they had pastored a church there. Another family from Chowchilla, the Sevedges, accompanied the Kerns to Bellevue to assist them in starting the new church. Services began in the Lake Hills Apartments clubhouse in the south Bellevue area.

The goal of this church is to reach "The Whole World with the Whole Gospel." In line with that goal, we are a multi-cultural church with approximately 20 nationalities represented. We offer special services for Spanish-speaking persons and live translation during our English services. We have produced over 5 missionaries who have gone into all parts of the World to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 2003 Life Tabernacle changed its name to Sanctuary of Praise. Along with our new name is a renewed vision for spreading the Whole Gospel to the Whole World. Our immediate and long-term plans include:

      Continuing to Improve our Children's Ministries at SOP
      Continuing Frontline Ministry to the downtown homeless in Seattle
      Adding several new daughter works, Filipino and Asian and East Indian ministries
   Continuing our outreach to the family with Classes at Sanctuary of Praise with Growing Families International also teaching in Women Shelters
      Reaching all cultures with the Gospel in the Metropolis area
      Reaching into the community with different activities such as "Friends' Day"
      Researching the need for Home School with a future for Christian School
      Celebrating 36 years at Sanctuary of Praise

We believe that everyone has a place in the family of God. We hope that you will join us and find out what a fun, vibrant place church can be.