Northwest Church was founded by three couples who came from Fresno, California, to pioneer a work in Federal Way. The first service of Northwest Christian Center, as it was known then, was held at Olympic View Elementary School on July 28, 1978. In attendance were two of the three founding families - a total of eight. By the end of the first year the congregation numbered sixty. In 1979, Northwest Christian Center officially became Northwest Church, and after months of prayer, the independent church embraced the Foursquare Denomination on August 17, 1980.

On August 30, 1987, after nine years of traveling from storage to school, the congregation held the first service in their own building. The Lord has been faithful to His many promises to this body. In November 1991, He brought Steve Schell and his family from Tempe, Arizona, to pastor Northwest Church. We have seen much growth since the day of small beginnings - truly a legacy of our God's faithfulness.