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The prophet Isaiah brings a message from God that reads: “Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43.19, The Message) The Holy One is a creative God that is always making things new. Such has been the experience of the Holy Mystery at University Baptist Church for our past 110 years of existence.

Our faith community has had many homes throughout the decades. In 2010 we moved to our present location at 4731 – 15^th Avenue NE, sharing the space with University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) a partner congregation in the University District of Seattle. Both congregations share the Spirit’s passion for social transformation through mission and actions of justice. Both congregations live out the gospel as we welcome all of God’s people in the journey – regardless of age, religion, economic status, ethnic and racial background, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, physical abilities, and any other apparent difference. Yet, both congregations maintain our respective identities. Each one of our congregations maintains its own worship time, congregation, ministers, staff and theological identities.

Each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the congregation of University Baptist Church meets for worship. Our congregation is thriving and growing. There is excitement in our work for justice and our commitment to personal and social transformation through worship, prayerful work, and many other activities. The programs we carry out are not “building-oriented” but rather, our mission is to be present in the world, where the need is. We partner with other religious and secular organizations to do the work of justice that has identified this congregation from its beginning 110 years ago. All this is part of the commitment of our church to be relevant in today’s world. The experience of worship on Sunday calls us to be active in the world during the week, and we gladly welcome the opportunity to be agents of change in our community.

It is extraordinary to see how the Holy One has worked in this community. Ours is a church that understands that God is a creative and creator God; a God who moves with us, for us, and through us for the transformation of the world. Each member and friend at UBC has been alert, and present, and expectant, knowing that Christ’s presence is with us, and transforming not only our lives, but the lives of those around us. We continue to be a place where questions and doubts are welcome. We continue to be a place where oppression is denounced and where people work to change those situations that create oppressive systems. We continue to be a place where people can mourn together in their times of pain, and dance together in times of joy. Finally, we continue to be a place where spirituality is not only a personal exercise, but also a commitment to social actions for justice; justice for the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, the destitute, and the one who has been left behind. We are a church that goes beyond a building… a church of PEOPLE; the precious people of God!

University Baptist Church is not what you expect, but we might just be what you are looking for. If you are looking for a place to call “home”, we at UBC open our arms to tell you: WELCOME HOME! Come, join us in the journey…

In the solidarity of Christ,

Rev. J. Manny Santiago
Pastor

For more images from UBC's various worship services, click here.