Kathy Aiello

Highlands Community Church

As part of an effort to reach children in this community, and the vision of a widow woman to start a Bible camp for children in the area, God led Wally and Inez Wilson to Renton and to eventually start what is now Highlands Community Church. Today, over 70 years later, God continues to use Highlands to help people find and follow Jesus. Highlands Community Church had its humble beginnings in 1943 when local Protestant churches sought to provide services for 10,000 Boeing Corporation employees living in a temporary war housing project. In 1946, six people met with a young pastor who had served three summers at a Bible camp ministering to the children of the temporary community. That young pastor, Wallace Wilson, was asked to establish a permanent church in the area. On the third Sunday of September of that year, they gathered for their first service at the Renton Highlands Housing Administration building. The Lord continued to bless the congregation. Pastor Jim Amandus was confirmed to be Pastor Wilson's successor by the Elder Board and congregation, and faithfully served as Lead Pastor beginning in January of 1989. Over the years, the congregation grew significantly in numbers as well as in community and worldwide impact. In late 2009, Highlands became one church meeting in two locations, Renton and Kent. In 2018, Pastor Jim retired after nearly 30 years of service, and Jesse Campbell became our new Lead Pastor. We have been blessed by the continued faithfulness of God and are seeing incredible growth and excitement around the ministries of Highlands. By faith, we believe that Highlands'​ greatest days of kingdom impact lie ahead, as we bring the hope and healing of the gospel to our community and across the globe!