About Us

Welcome to Lake Tapps!

Lake Tapps is a community of people learning to live life in the way and heart of Jesus. Everyone is welcome, and nobody is perfect here.

OUR MISSION is to equip and empower people to know God, grow in faith, and go with purpose.
OUR VISION is to cultivate a family oriented community of belonging & spiritual training that makes love the measure of maturity.

2024 VISON

This year at Lake Tapps Christian Church, we're focused on exploring the theme of 'IDENTITY.' We're delving deep into understanding who we are, both as individuals and as a community, in Christ.

Our emphasis on identity is a response to the pervasive sense of anxiety, division, and loneliness in our society. By focusing on who we truly are, we aim to offer clarity, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

Finally, 2024 is a year of action at Lake Tapps Christian Church. We are encouraging everyone to step up and contribute, moving from mere consumers to active participants in our faith community. Whether through leadership roles, community outreach, or simply being present for one another, every contribution counts.

This year is about discovering and living out our true identity in Christ. Join us as we learn, grow, and serve together, transforming not just our church but our wider community as well.


Identity

2021 was a year of reconnecting and reorganizing. That paved the way for 2022 where we dug deep for the sake of healthy growth. 2023 focused on going with purpose. We discovered however that many people wrestle with their purpose because they aren't aware of their true identity. That is why identity is our focus this year.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?

- Special Teaching series including Identity - a Christian Therapist perspective on self awareness and becoming who we want to be, Sabbath - exploring how practicing Sabbath fights our false identities of productivity and busyness, We Believe - a series unpacking the Apostle's Creed, Our Church - exploring our vision, mission, and values as a church, and False Identities - discussing the topics of money, sexuality, and politics and how they relate to following Jesus.

- Special resources, workshops and services throughout the year designed to equip and inspire individuals to engage with God and build rhythms and habits that drive us toward becoming who we were created to be

Our Team

Jared Ellsworth

Lead Pastor and Elder

Mary Beth Holmes

Worship Director

Dave Atkin

Executive Pastor

Justin Schielke

Tech Director

Andrew LaBree

Family Pastor

Mike Wilson

Elder

Leah Olson

Preschool Director

Curtis Pritchard

Elder

Truths We Believe

In essential beliefs, we have unity.
There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all… Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs, we show charity.
…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)This is where the description goes.

Essentials

God
The Creator and Ruler of the Universe. Eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit in one: Trinity.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 26, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
The son of God. Virgin-born. Sinless human life. Died on the cross for the sins of all people. Raised to life. Will come again.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13


Holy Spirit
Lives in Christians from the moment of Salvation. Convicts, leads, guides. Equips believers for service. Gives spiritual gifts.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25
Bible
God’s Word written by human authors, supernaturally guided. Source for truth. Truth without any error.
2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5
Humans
Made in the image of God to be like Him. All sin, by choice and by nature, which separates humans from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
Salvation
Salvation is God’s gift to humans, purchased by the blood of Jesus, given by grace. We must receive it by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5
Assurance
Salvation is given by God through Jesus Christ. The true believer is secure in that salvation, lived out daily.
Acts 3:19; John 10:28-29; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 2 Peter 1:1
Eternity
People are made for eternity. Eternity with God through forgiveness and salvation is life, Heaven. Eternity apart from God is death, Hell. Heaven and Hell are real and eternal.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9