• Features
  • News
  • Print
  • Home
  • Features
  • Perspectives
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Gallery
  • Family
    • Weddings
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Share a story
  • Contact us
  • Sign in

Latest News

  • Close up dreamy face of pretty little child girl with xmas lights bokeh.

    Christmas, Children and the Clash of Kingdoms

    December 22, 2025, by Alister Hunt et al.
  • Joe Wheeler, Author of More Than 100 Books, Passes Away

    December 18, 2025, by Sherly Rothgeb
  • A young woman in a green jumper smiles while surrounded by books at home. The cozy indoor environment suggests a calming and enjoyable study session, perfect for exam preparation.

    Endless Education: A Life of Learning

    December 15, 2025, by Nicole Dominguez

Print magazine

Image Credit: Heidi Baumgartner

Parousia Completes House of Prayer

By Heidi Baumgartner, June 21, 2016

Parousia Russian-Ukrainian Church is humbly in awe of what God orchestrated with the construction of their new church home in Federal Way, Wash.

This congregation began in 2001 as a small group of four core families at Auburn City Church and officially became a church in 2006. Today, the Parousia congregation has 179 members and 78 children — and now they have their own house of prayer.

Throughout their project of faith, Parousia leaders partnered with local Adventist leaders and businessmen. Mike Van Steenwyk, a real estate agent, helped them find a piece of property five years ago. Don Kirkman, an architect, helped the congregation design a worship space, and Peter Vukshich, a contractor, led the building project.

“God has a beautiful new home in Federal Way,” says Jerry Russell, Washington Conference vice president for finance, whose team partnered with the congregation in managing the project budget.

The Parousia Church also received a lot of Adventist community support in its fundraising process. The church family regularly held benefit concerts and dinners featuring Russian cuisine.

In the midst of the construction project, the pastoral leadership changed in early 2015 with the retirement of Victor Krushenitskyi and the introduction of Sergei Kuzman. Both leaders acknowledge this was a project of faith to build a house of prayer. The high level of member involvement helped bond the church family and led to balanced decisions.

“I want to praise God for how He’s led in this church and this project,” says Krushenitskyi.

In the grand opening on April 23, the Parousia members honored God for their project of faith through prayers of dedication and performances by a children’s choir, youth choir, combined choir and church orchestra. In addition, the congregation hosted an evening concert of thanksgiving. “We’ve always praised God through music,” Kuzman says.

“This church wouldn’t be without the blessings of God and the dedication of His people,” says John Freedman, Washington Conference president, during the church’s grand opening sermon. “My prayer is that this church will breathe the gospel, share the gospel and live the gospel.”

You are welcome to visit the Parousia Russian-Ukrainian Church located at 1860 S 336th St., Federal Way, WA 98003.

Image

You are welcome to come visit Parousia Russian-Ukrainian's new house of prayer in Federal Way, Wash.

Credit
Heidi Baumgartner
Image

Key local contributors, who gave of their time and talent to help build Parousia Russian-Ukrainian congregation, line the stage in the new church facility.

Credit
Heidi Baumgartner
Image

Parousia Russian-Ukrainian church leaders and Washington Conference leaders offer a prayer of dedication for the new church home.

Credit
Heidi Baumgartner
Print Friendly and PDF

Featured in: June 2016

Author

Heidi Baumgartner

North Pacific Union communication director and Gleaner editor
Section
Washington Conference

You may also like

  • SAGE Builders Carry on Legacy in Queets

    December 09, 2025, by Rick Serns
  • Healthy Heart Habits Lead to Super Bowl Surprise for KSDA Student

    December 09, 2025, by Laurie Yoshihara
  • WISE Turns Classrooms Into Mission Fields

    December 05, 2025, by Enoc Garcia
  • Journey to Wholeness Training Equips Leaders to Bring Healing and Hope

    December 03, 2025, by Enoc Garcia
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit
  • Reprint/Repost Request
  • Style Guide
  • Change of Address
  • Subscriptions
  • Sunset
  • RSS
  • Contributor Login
  • Contact

The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

Copyright 2025, North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. Legal disclaimer & privacy policy.