The sophomore effort from Mars Hill Music drops today with the band Ghost Ship’s first full-length album, The Good King. This Friday we’re celebrating with a release party and free show at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle.
Mars Hill Music released a ton of material in the past year, and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. CCM Magazine even wrote, “The new movement of worship music out of Mars Hill is one of the most imaginative and important shifts within the Christian music industry in years.” Our goal with Mars Hill Music is more than just to have great songs. Here are a few aspects of this unique ministry.
1. Mars Hill Music is from the church, for the church
The producers, musicians, and songwriters involved with Mars Hill Music are all pastors, leaders, or member of Mars Hill Church, and many of them participate as volunteers. They lead worship on Sundays because they love the church and they love to use the talent God has given them to worship Jesus.
2. Mars Hill Music proclaims the truth of the gospel
When church service ends on a Sunday, people might remember a few big ideas from the sermon, but more likely they’ll walk away singing whatever songs the band was playing. Catchy music has a way of sticking in your head, which is a huge opportunity for lyrics that testify and affirm who Jesus is and what he has done for us.
3. Mars Hill Music provides an opportunity for evangelism
Good music gets shared, especially when it starts showing up on mainstream charts like Billboard and iTunes (as multiple Mars Hill Music releases have). Younger generations especially may not be looking for a church or a sermon podcast, but they are looking for new music. Friends share music with friends, which can lead to conversations about the content. Simply put, the success of Mars Hill Music provides us more opportunities to introduce people to Jesus. We produce music videos for the same reason, since YouTube is now the most popular place among teens for listening to music.
4. Mars Hill Music has a chance to influence the greater church
Christian radio remains popular throughout the country, and church services are one of the only places where people still gather and sing together on a regular basis. For better or for worse, the songs we listen to in the car and the songs we sing on Sunday shape the way we think about God, the Bible, Jesus, and our lives. There’s no shortage of love ballads for Jesus. Through Mars Hill Music, we want to equip and encourage the church with a more robust vision of the Christian life, to mature beyond Hallmark theology and “take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Tim. 6:19, NIV). Already, we’ve been able to connect over 1,400 worship leaders, giving them to access Mars Hill Music’s songs, chord charts, and videos to implement in their ministry.
Chances are, over the course of your lifetime, you’ll read your favorite book two or three times. You’ll watch your favorite movie a half dozen times. But you’ll listen to your favorite music hundreds of times, if not more. Somebody has to preach Jesus within this hugely significant space, and with Mars Hill Music we’re giving it our best shot, all for the glory of our Good King.
More Mars Hill Music
- I interview Cam Huxford, Ghost Ship lead and worship pastor at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle.
- Mars Hill Music YouTube channel features music videos, song tutorials, and musician interviews.
- Marshill.com/music features albums, blog posts, and artist bios.
