A Prayer-First Church on McKinley Avenue
Unity Christian Ministries sits on the eastside of Tacoma, Washington, in a neighborhood church at 6202 Mckinley Avenue. The congregation's rhythm is built around prayer, from a weekday phone prayer line that begins before sunrise to a half-hour of corporate prayer that opens each Sunday morning. Bishop Lenall Battle and Pastor Ina Battle founded the church in 1996 with a simple conviction: Jesus changes everything, and the Bible's promise in John 3:16 deserves to be shared door to door and soul to soul.
Sunday Morning at Unity
Sunday begins at 10:00 AM with corporate prayer in the sanctuary, a quiet thirty-minute stretch that gathers the body before the formal service. At 10:30 AM, the Sunday Morning Service begins and runs through noon. Worship is also carried on Facebook Live, with the livestream picking up at 11:00 AM for those joining from home. On the first Sunday of each month, the congregation gathers around the Lord's table for Communion.
A simple message greets visitors: "Falling in Love with God is the greatest of all Romance. Seeking Him the greatest Adventure. Finding Him the greatest human Achievement." The same spirit carries through the rest of the morning.
Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study
Two midweek gatherings keep the church connected between Sundays. On Wednesday mornings at 5:30 AM, a prayer line opens by phone (605-313-5111, access code 550743) and runs for an hour. Anyone can dial in for the effectual, fervent prayer the Bible describes in James 5:16. On Wednesday evenings, the church moves to Zoom for Bible study from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, a weekly hour of teaching and conversation that deepens the Sunday message.
Founded in 1996 by the Battles
Bishop Lenall Battle and Pastor Ina Battle planted Unity Christian Ministries nearly three decades ago out of a love for the Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to share the good news of the gospel. Their ministry has expanded into a range of outreach programs designed to reach souls and serve the surrounding community, from preaching and teaching to family support. A book by Bishop Lenall Battle, Stay Hungry, grows out of the same calling: an invitation to feed on God's Word rather than on the things of this world.
The church's stated mission is to unify all people in a fulfilling relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A board of directors surrounds the senior pastors, including Pastor Tramaine and Suzanna Battle, Elder Carrie Lamar, Pastor Raychel James, Deacon Benny and Wanda Warren, and Deacon Elbert Caldwell. Together the team works under the lead of the Holy Spirit to extend the church's reach into the community.
Unity Children's University
Alongside the church, Unity Children's University Development Center operates as a full-service childcare center on the same campus. Its goal is to partner with parents in guiding children through a progressive learning environment that prepares them for life now and for the future. Christian counseling services are available to enrolled families, along with parenting articles and family resources, making the center an extension of the church's care for the whole household.
How to Give and Stay Connected
Unity Christian Ministries is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Giving is available through Cash App at $Unitychristmin, and the church shares updates, livestreams, and sermon media on Facebook. A prayer request form lets anyone send a need directly to the ministry team, and a contact form lets first-time visitors ask questions.