Welcome to Lake Tapps!
Lake Tapps is a community of people learning to live life in the way and heart of Jesus. We're cultivating a community, not just a gathering.
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.
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.
OUR VISON
SHORT-TERM VISION:
2025 - Relational Connection
This year, we are focusing on creating a community, not just a gathering. We believe that the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our culture calls for a radical commitment to connection. Jesus modeled a life of community, inviting people to share not only faith but life itself, and we want to follow His example.
Throughout 2025, we are embracing the theme of Relational Connection as a lens for everything we do. We’re committed to fostering deeper relationships.
We believe that transformation happens not in isolation but in the context of community. Not in large gatherings, but small ones. This means committing to depth over superficiality, relationships over busyness, and love over individualism.
Whether you’ve been a part of our church family for years or you’re exploring faith for the first time, we invite you to join us in creating a community of love, depth, and connection that reflects Christ’s heart for His people.
Long-Term Vision
The Church of 2050
We are planting seeds today for a church that will thrive for generations. By 2050, we envision a church where deep relationships, strong leadership, and generational faith are flourishing in a world that continues to change rapidly. Our goal is to create a lasting legacy of faith, built on the foundation of Christ’s love, and to prepare the next generation to lead and serve.
This vision calls us to invest in spiritual formation, family ministries, leadership development, and community, even when we may not see the full results in our lifetime. Like the exiles in Jeremiah 29, we are committed to “building houses and planting gardens” for future generations.
At Lake Tapps Christian Church, we believe the best way to predict the future is to create it. Our mission is to equip and empower people to know God, grow in faith, and go with purpose—a mission that transcends any single moment and prepares us for a thriving church in 2050 and beyond.
2025 - Relational Connection
This year, we are focusing on creating a community, not just a gathering. We believe that the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our culture calls for a radical commitment to connection. Jesus modeled a life of community, inviting people to share not only faith but life itself, and we want to follow His example.
Throughout 2025, we are embracing the theme of Relational Connection as a lens for everything we do. We’re committed to fostering deeper relationships.
We believe that transformation happens not in isolation but in the context of community. Not in large gatherings, but small ones. This means committing to depth over superficiality, relationships over busyness, and love over individualism.
Whether you’ve been a part of our church family for years or you’re exploring faith for the first time, we invite you to join us in creating a community of love, depth, and connection that reflects Christ’s heart for His people.
Long-Term Vision
The Church of 2050
We are planting seeds today for a church that will thrive for generations. By 2050, we envision a church where deep relationships, strong leadership, and generational faith are flourishing in a world that continues to change rapidly. Our goal is to create a lasting legacy of faith, built on the foundation of Christ’s love, and to prepare the next generation to lead and serve.
This vision calls us to invest in spiritual formation, family ministries, leadership development, and community, even when we may not see the full results in our lifetime. Like the exiles in Jeremiah 29, we are committed to “building houses and planting gardens” for future generations.
At Lake Tapps Christian Church, we believe the best way to predict the future is to create it. Our mission is to equip and empower people to know God, grow in faith, and go with purpose—a mission that transcends any single moment and prepares us for a thriving church in 2050 and beyond.
Our Team
Jared Ellsworth
Lead Pastor and Elder
Mary Beth Holmes
Worship Director
Dave Atkin
Executive Pastor
Justin Schielke
Tech Director
Leah Olson
Preschool Director
Mike Wilson
Elder
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9