The Story of a Dream

From 1971 through 1978, the Rev. Richard Birdsall was pastor of Community Baptist Church of Issaquah. Under his leadership, the church launched a "growth group" ministry involving groups of twelve for personal and spiritual growth.

On one occasion, Dick shared his dream of establishing a retreat center since he held strong feelings about the kind of personal growth that can come from retreats. As he was already an experienced retreat leader, he told of the need for such a ministry in the Seattle area.

Another member of the same growth group, Fred Lind, expressed his own personal dream about a 36-acre parcel of land that he owned at the foot of Mount Si near North Bend. Fred's dream involved doing something with his property that would benefit people.

That same week, Fred Lind and Dick Birdsall walked together through the heavily wooded property. At the conclusion of that brief walk, a special project was launched as Fred committed his property to begin their project. A nonprofit organization was formed with Fred donating initial construction costs. Dick resigned his pastorate and, along with Fred, began the process of building.

Rainbow Lodge Retreat Center represents two dreams ... each fulfilled in the other.

The name Rainbow Lodge was chosen because the rainbow represents God's covenant with creation and the belief and hope in the future.