As we approach the first Sunday of 2013, I wanted to share some prayer requests for Mars Hill Church. We deeply appreciate folks praying for the church—especially as a family or as a Community Group—so here are a few specific things to lift up this month. In addition, I’d appreciate prayer as I prepare to preach the upcoming Ephesians sermon series, which starts this weekend in downtown Bellevue, and January 13 at our other 13 locations and online.
Rainier Valley
Please pray for the Rainier Valley church as they prepare to launch a new 4 p.m. service on Sunday, February 10. They’re recruiting volunteers to lead the service, so pray that God would call people to help in this way.
Orange County
Our congregation in Southern California has a new building opportunity in the works. Please pray for a long-term location for Mars Hill Orange County.
West Seattle
Join the people of Mars Hill West Seattle as they pray for growth in the new year. The church hopes to grow to at least 800 people in 2013, by God’s grace.
Shoreline
Pastor Steve and the Shoreline church are setting priorities for how to best care for their people in 2013. Their plans include improvements for children’s ministry, student ministry, more Community Groups, and leadership development. Please pray that God would provide wisdom and favor in these efforts.
U-District
Please pray for safety as college students make their way back to Seattle from holiday travels. The U-District team is praying that God would provide opportunities for conversations on the UW campus through the Ephesians sermon series. This series targets one of the biggest issues in college life: identity. As we seek to develop a presence on campus, please pray that many young men and women would hear the gospel and receive a new life and a new identity in Jesus.
Downtown Seattle
January is a huge month for our congregation in downtown Seattle. The church will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, January 13. The new building in the heart of downtown was home to the the first church family in Seattle. It is an incredible location of historic proportions. Please pray that all goes well with the Ephesians series launch and the grand opening, and that many people would show up and meet Jesus.
Everett
Please pray for God’s favor as we make the final steps toward securing our new home at the Armory building this month. In the meantime, the church is praying that God would provide some space for classes this quarter. Pray for the Everett leadership team as well. With a lot of new players, pray that they would bond and unite quickly and effectively to the glory of God in the north Puget Sound region.
Sammamish
Sammamish is another Mars Hill church hoping to grow to 800 people in 2013. Please join Pastor Alex Ghioni and the leadership team in prayer as they ask the Holy Spirit to stir up their hearts and affections for Jesus and to show the way forward.
Portland
Almost 1,000 people came to Portland’s special Christmas service, and over a dozen were baptized. Pray that the many gospel seeds sown over the holidays would take root and grow in the new year, that many visitors will return for the Ephesians series to learn more about Jesus and his people.
Olympia
The team in Olympia is praying that the Holy Spirit would move God’s people with a greater passion for Jesus and a greater sense of urgency to pursue the lost.
Federal Way
The Federal Way church needs more pastors. Please pray that God would call more men to pursue eldership. Also, pray for strength, endurance, and safety for the many volunteers and workers helping to prepare the Tacoma building.
Albuquerque
“Our young men need Jesus,” says Albuquerque Lead Pastor Donovan Medina. “They are excited about the initial challenge about being men, but they cannot do it without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. They need to worship Jesus.” Please pray that God would answer this prayer and save many families through our ministry in New Mexico.
Ballard
Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood has seen a huge influx of new growth over the past few years, and is preparing for a lot more, with hundreds of apartments and condos nearing completion. Mars Hill Ballard is uniquely positioned to share the gospel with a lot of new people, in the neighborhood and throughout the north Seattle area. Pray that we would be faithful with this opportunity.
Bellevue
2012 was a big year for Mars Hill Downtown Bellevue, with tons of growth and a lot to celebrate mixed with much heartache. Please pray for Lead Pastor Thomas Hurst and his family as his wife, Angie, battles cancer. Pray for the leadership team, who welcomed a lot of new players in the past year. Pray for the hundreds of newcomers and new Christians, and pray for big brothers and big sisters willing to care for them.
Mars Hill Central
Here’s how you can be praying for some of our centralized ministry efforts:
- Students: Our new director of Mars Hill Students, Adam Ramsey, is now on board and praying that the Holy Spirit stretches our imaginations and vision for what God might do through us next year.
- Women: Under the leadership of Hilary Tompkins, Mars Hill Women’s Ministry is preparing to launch a brand new Ephesians study to go along with the sermon series. Pray for leaders and that the material will be a blessing to many.
- Community Groups: Strong, healthy Community Groups are crucial to the well being of our church. Please pray that God would call many faithful, energetic leaders to help us care for our people this year.
- Production: The team is working hard to prepare for the grand opening of our new location in downtown Seattle (among other projects). Please pray that their work would be fruitful, efficient, and completed in time for the big day.
Tomorrow: Day of Prayer & Fasting
For those in the area, many Mars Hill churches are organizing a Day of Fasting and a Night of Prayer tomorrow, Friday, to kick off the new year, including: Bellevue, U-District, Rainier Valley, Olympia, Federal Way, Shoreline, Sammamish, Everett, Portland, Orange County, and Albuquerque. West Seattle will host a similar event next week.
We praise God for all that he is doing at Mars Hill Church and for the opportunity we have to serve Jesus in so many ways. Thank you for your prayers!
