International Community Center is a holistic faith-based outreach to help meet the needs of our global neighbors.
OUR MISSION
We provide services to refugees, asylees, new and long-term immigrants, including internationals, in the Shoreline, WA area.
We provide a variety of services which include English Language Learning (ELL), community support, and practical resources. We’re creating an environment where our global neighbors feel loved and more prepared for their life in their new country.
DID YOU KNOW?
The number of people displaced globally has more than doubled over the last 10 years.
Put yourself in the shoes of your global neighbor…
“At the end of 2024, an estimated 123.2 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing the public order” (UNHCR).
It’s normal to feel lost or overwhelmed when starting a new job, figuring out how a grocery store works, or just trying to make a friend or find your people, especially when you’re the new person. Now imagine doing all of that in a completely different culture, in a language that’s not your own. That’s a lot to carry.
At the International Community Center, we’re here for new immigrants. We also support long-time immigrant families and people with international backgrounds. Our goal is to be a safe, welcoming place for anyone who’s far from home and missing a sense of belonging.
What makes us different is our holistic approach. We’re a community hub with resources, connection, and care. Our hope is that this center becomes a meaningful part of people’s lives as we navigate the ups and downs together.
Meet the Team
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ICC DIRECTOR & LEAD PASTOR
Col started her international life & experience as an exchange student in Japan during her Junior year of high school. She has enjoyed meeting internationals from that time on. She, with her husband and their three small children, moved to Indonesia in 1992 where they lived and taught for nearly twenty years. As a college professor and leader in Indonesia, she had the opportunity to train and mentor many young people, some of whom are now serving around the world.
At first learning language and culture were a challenge to Col but she realized that they opened the door for her to understand and enjoy "her new countries.” At International Community Center, Col hopes her work will help new internationals to understand and enjoy their new country as she learned to love Japan and Indonesia.
Besides this work, Col is learning to garden so they can create a small farm on their property which friends and family can enjoy. She loves being with her children and grandchildren and hopes for many more adventures in life with them.
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DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY CARE & PASTORAL MINISTRIES
Randy spent his formative years in Malaysia and lived a significant portion of his adult life in Indonesia. Living in both of these multicultural, multireligious, and multiethnic nations, has given him an unique perspective and understanding of the world, especially in an Asian context and practice. He has taught in schools in Malaysia, Indonesia and Timur Leste and still has friends in all these countries. He has served in leadership in the Indonesian Field Fellowship and well as his sponsoring organization.
Randy loves to garden and raise chickens as well as eat and cook foods from around the world. Randy married Col Martin and they have been married for nearly 45 years. He and Col have three biological children, a heart-adopted daughter in Indonesia, plus eight grandchildren.
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DIRECTOR, ELL & EDUCATION
Though Sharon has lived primarily in the Northwest for the last 46 years, she grew up in Louisiana. She married a Washingtonian and had to learn a whole new dialect and culture!
Sharon has been an educator since she was a small girl lining up her dolls and having school every day. She has taught elementary, jr. high, and high school, and eventually became a principal. She has also served as a high school International Student Program Director. In addition, she has taught in international student programs in several universities and colleges in both Washington and Oregon, and taught teachers earning master’s degrees in TESOL.
Sharon currently teaches refugees, asylees, and immigrants in the English Language Learner program at North Seattle College. She has recently completing a PH.D. in Intercultural Education.
Jesus fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He shared the Good News.
AS CHRIST FOLLOWERS, WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE THE FOREIGNERS AMONG US.