Six Decades at the Corner of Buckeye and Vista
Zion Lutheran Church stands at 8304 East Buckeye Avenue in Spokane's West Valley neighborhood, sharing the good news of Jesus with the entire West Valley since its first service in 1950. The congregation itself dates to 1948, when Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on November 28 of that year. The first building went up in 1950, with a major expansion in 1959. Through the years, renovations have brought a remodeled social hall, Sunday school rooms, ADA restrooms, a bride's room, and a welcoming community room, all in service of a congregation committed to education, worship, mission, and outreach.
The same gospel message that called the founding families together still holds the church together today, summed up in a verse from Hebrews: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
Sunday Mornings at 9:00 AM
Worship at Zion centers on a traditional Sunday service at 9:00 AM. For those who cannot attend in person, the service streams live on Facebook, so members and visitors can join from home. The service is held in the Sanctuary, with music led by Organist and Chancel Choir Director Taylor Giese and a volunteer choir that sings a range of two- and four-part music.
Choir and Adult Education
The choir rehearses each Tuesday at 2:30 PM in the Sanctuary and welcomes singers of all skill levels.
Pastor Bob Kenyon
Pastor Bob Kenyon came to Zion with more than 46 years of pastoral experience. A Spokane native, he began college at Pacific Lutheran University before completing his degree in Religious Studies and Communications at Whitworth College. In 1974 he entered Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and after graduating in 1978 he crossed the border to begin ministry in Canada, ringing 2,500 doorbells to start a new congregation in Airdrie, Alberta. He went on to serve congregations in Nelson and Fort St. John, British Columbia, then in Kendrick and Julietta, Idaho, and in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he helped build strong ecumenical partnerships and start a food bank that still operates today. After a call to Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville in 2005 and shared ministry in Connell and Sprague, Pastor Bob officially retired in 2020 and continued to preach at Messiah Lutheran in Spokane until that congregation prepared to close. He holds office hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 AM to noon.
Pup's Care Before the Bell Rings
Zion's before-school program, Pup's Care, opens its doors at 7:00 AM on school days for students from Orchard Center Elementary, Seth Woodard Elementary, and Millwood Kindergarten Center. Each morning begins with a light, nutritious breakfast, with the children helping prepare it as a way to learn responsibility, build independence, and pick up everyday life skills. After clean-up time, the day moves into homework help, reading time, crafts, games, exercise, and group activities that build friendships and confidence. Doors open at 7:00 AM; staff walk students to the bus stop at 8:45 AM Monday through Thursday and at 9:45 AM on Fridays for late start. The program follows the West Valley School District calendar and closes whenever schools close. Pup's Care is staffed and supervised by church staff, volunteers, and community members. There is no religious component. Scholarships are available, and the daily fee is $5.00.
Ministries from Choir to Quilters
A wide variety of small groups keeps the congregation connected through the week and around the calendar:
- Bible Study gathers Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM for an hour of dedicated learning from the Bible.
- Prayer Shawl is a group of women who meet monthly to crochet or knit shawls that are blessed and given to anyone in need of comfort.
- Quilters get together the third Wednesday of each month to work on quilts they have made.
- Breakfast and Conversation meets the second Saturday of each month for a meal prepared by the men, with a speaker and fellowship.
- Monthly Luncheon Group meets the third Monday of each month for good food and great fellowship, with the location changing each month.
- Friends of the Library collects donated books for the church library and hosts twice-yearly book sales at Zion, donating the proceeds to charity.
- Fellowship Committee sponsors monthly game nights, holiday dinners, Mother's Day teas, funerals, weddings, and other events.
God's Hands at Work
God's Hands at Work is the congregation's outreach arm, gathering school supplies, providing food and clothing to neighbors in need, and supporting larger efforts such as drilling wells and building schools overseas. Vacation Bible School is held each summer and welcomes all children from kindergarten through fifth grade at no fee, with donations for the local food bank requested in lieu of payment.
A Vision to Know, Grow, and Go
Zion belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and sits within the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod. The congregation's vision is for everyone to know Jesus Christ and His care, to grow in His love through worship, prayer, and small groups, and to go and share His love with others. As the congregation puts it: "We believe that we are sinners who have been made right with God through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. We welcome all people to receive this grace from God." A Board of Administration provides general oversight of the life and activities of the congregation, listening, planning, and coordinating to provide leadership and direction through the power and light of God's Word.
A Harvest Hosts Welcome
Zion is a Harvest Hosts location, welcoming self-contained RVs and travelers to its Spokane Valley property as a way to support the church's ministries. Up to nine parking spaces are available on a gravel surface for rigs up to 45 feet, with pets, generators, and slideouts allowed. Self check-in runs from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with check-out before 12:00 PM. Donations start at $25 for the first night and $50 for each following night.