Bruce and Sherry Thacker have been serving Shelton Christian Church in Shelton, WA, since they left Lincoln in 1993. Shelton is a community of about 10,000, located seventy-five miles from Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula. The church has focused on several key areas in the 20 plus years of their ministry.
Bruce says, “We did an extensive project to focus our mission and identify our priorities and values. As a result, several ministries are key.” Those include an emphasis on worship, disciple-making, and encouragement, both to the church body and the community at large. A primary focus for the church has been missions.
Bruce goes on to say, “Our mission’s emphasis goes beyond financial. Our personal involvement begins at an early age with our junior high mission trips, led by Sherry.” Each year junior high students go to Boise Christian Children’s Ranch for a weekend service project. There is also a high school Mexico mission trip which works with Amor Ministries to build homes. The youth group is headed for its twenty-first trip this summer. Through the years, youth group members have built homes, schools, churches, and cafeterias. Bruce has also served on the board of Global Vision Citadelle Ministries in Haiti and WINEMA Week of Missions in Oregon.
The church’s main mission emphasis has been Haiti. The church has sponsored an annual medical trip for the last 15 years, taking more than 75 different people from various churches in Washington and Oregon. In addition to those trips, the church has supported two orphanages, several churches, and a deaf school. “The latter is near and dear to our hearts, as it was started by Sherry,” continues Bruce. “We have also done pastor training in Haiti, as well as construction teams and other support ministries in the country.”
Bruce and Sherry are enjoying life these days. The church is doing well and they are now the proud grandparents of 12 grandchildren. They continue to enjoy serving God and loving the people God sends to Shelton Christian Church.