Of all the Mars Hill churches, Everett lies the farthest north. We are located a short 30 minute drive from the face of the landslide that occurred on March 22nd in Oso, WA. We have community groups in the area and many of them know people who lost their homes while some have lost friends and family in the slide.
Mars Hill Everett has members and attendees who call our church home from all over Snohomish County, so our church especially felt this tragedy. In the days that followed the slide we sought out ways that we might be able to love and serve those who have been affected by this slide in practical ways.
One of our members works for Snohomish County and was able to get solid information on the most essential items needed to continue the rescue effort and to serve those who have been affected by this slide. The information we received was that rescue workers were in great need of clean, dry t-shirts and dry woolen or technical socks, as the rescue work was wet and dirty. We were also asked to provide toiletries including diapers, washcloths, baby wipes, sanitary products, and soap.
On Sunday morning our church began to provide all that was asked of them. Men, women, and children carried large bags filled with donations and lugged boxes of diapers and baby wipes to help love and serve our neighbors with the love of Jesus.
The church rallied to fill four vehicles, including a few trucks, with donations. After our final service on Sunday afternoon, they travelled north and unloaded all of the donations.
We were able to partner with The Point Church in Arlington, WA as the drop-off point for all the goods we collected. The Point Church is acting as a distribution center for donated goods to be transported to the face of the landslide and to those who are in need of essentials. One of our community group leaders, Ed, who lives in Arlington, coordinated our transport and drop-off to Point Church.
It was an amazing response by our church. We hope and pray that as the churches in this area serve the people affected by this tragedy, they experience the love of Jesus, hear the hope of the gospel, and come into a knowledge of the Truth.
The donation collection point in the lobby of the Everett church.
One member of Mars Hill Everett, Paul, helps to load a car of supplies.
