When you walk through the doors of Legacy Thrift Center, it may look like a typical thrift store—racks of gently used clothing, shelves of home goods, and furniture waiting for a new home. But behind every item on display is a much bigger story—a story of missions, generosity, and changed lives for Christ.
Legacy Thrift began long before it carried its current name. In 2001, the store operated as Bibles For China Thrift Center, part of Bible League International’s effort to get God’s Word into the hands of Chinese believers. At the time, profits were used almost exclusively to send Bibles overseas.
In 2013, the store was struggling to keep its doors open. There weren’t enough volunteers to keep operations running, and finances were stretched thin. That’s when God opened the door and provided exactly what was needed. Bellevue stepped in, bringing new life and a renewed mission to the store. The church began mobilizing volunteers and resources, including longtime Bellevue members Susan and David Bennett, who had just retired and felt drawn to join the effort in 2014.
“The premise of this store attracted us so much because of the ministry,” Susan, who is now the department head of receiving, said. “It’s not really about profit—it’s about knowing we’re helping fulfill the Great Commission.”
As global circumstances shifted when China closed its doors to Bible distribution in 2023, the ministry faced new opportunities and changed its name to Legacy Thrift Center. This name reflects a broader mission to “leave a legacy” for Christ throughout the entire world.
Legacy Thrift operates with one clear purpose—to turn donations into opportunities for the Gospel to be shared both across the street and around the world. All profits go directly toward financially supporting missionaries as they spread the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
This shift allowed Bellevue Missions to direct funds to needs across the globe—an impact that now reaches both nationally and internationally. Nationally, this includes supporting Bellevue’s church planting partners, such as Living Hope Church, Valley Life Church, and Riverside Church. Internationally, the impact extends from playground construction in Southeast Asia to supporting Pioneer Evangelism and equipping short-term missions projects in Africa, Peru, and Cambodia.
But for Susan, Legacy Thrift isn’t just about sending missionaries—it’s about being one.
“This store is a mission field in itself,” she said. “We have opportunities to pray with customers, share why we’re here, and remind people that Jesus loves them.”
Since the start of Bellevue’s involvement with this ministry, Legacy Thrift has grown from the brink of closure to a bustling store with more than 100 volunteers each week. God has provided not just quality donations but also the resources to expand the store’s footprint and serve more people.
But Susan is quick to point out a current need: younger volunteers. Many of the regular volunteers are retirees, and the ministry is eager to see young adults, families, and Life Groups step in to serve.
“A real need here is to find some young people to set a precedent of who’s going to be here in another 10 years,” Susan said. “You can’t continue to only have retired people; you’ve got to have the young people flowing in, or eventually the store isn’t there.”
From its humble beginnings to its broader reach today, Legacy Thrift stands as a reminder that God can use everyday acts of service, like sorting clothes or moving furniture, to change lives for eternity.
As Susan says, “We may never go to Cambodia, but the money we raise here can. And that means we get to be part of what God is doing all over the world.”
When you donate, volunteer, or shop at Legacy Thrift, you help share the Gospel with people around the globe! Visit legacythrift.org to learn more.