CCRN Apartment Ministry
Research Sources, Interviews, and Artifacts
Phase II Interviews
Phase II Interviews
Pat and Chris Saunders
Interviewee: Pat and Chris Saunders
Position: Former Apartment Chaplains, 2 years at Stone Point
Date: July 19, 2023
Location: Cirque Park in University Place
Recording Media: none
Abstract: We met Chris and Pat at a barbecue taking place in a community park in University Place, just blocks from Boulder Park. The event was being sponsored by Sunset Bible Church, which is also close in proximity to the complex. They agreed to a share some of their experience with us. They served with an organization called Communities Northwest, a small organization that seeks to place missionaries in apartment complexes, similar to Apartment Life.
Reflection: This interview was a stark contrast to my interview with Jesse Mendoza. The overall impression that I got from the Willey’s was marked by an emphasis on how difficult and sometimes discouraging the apartment ministry was for them, whereas Pastor Jesse seemed to emphasize how significant and fulfilling their work in apartment ministry was for them.
This stark difference in the tone of each interview make the similarities in their experience even more remarkable. Both the Willey’s and the Mendoza’s served 2 years, both of their stories pointed to struggles and barriers that exist in making progress in the ministry, and both stories pointed to the importance of the relationship between the management and those seeking to carry out a ministry at the complex.
Notable points from this interview.
Pat and Chris indicated that this was a difficult and at times discouraging ministry, as they often felt like they did not always get the support they feel they needed.
They lived and served at Stone Point Apartments, which is less than 1 mile from Boulder Park in the same area of University Place.
The indicated that Boulder Park had a bad reputation with others in the area.
- They conducted a monthly breakfast, and many other events, such as barbecues and movie nights.
- Stone Point has a community room that was conducive to events, and at times they were well attended.
- After two years, the apartment changed management and the new managers were not as favorable to the program, and this eventually led to them ending the ministry there.
- They currently are working on a project to build an “inclusive” playground, that is, one created to used easily by disabled children.