Happy Easter, church! It is 8:15 a.m. and Mars Hill Bellevue is about to kick off Sunday Easter services in just about 15 short minutes. Stay tuned for live updates throughout the course of our three services here in Bellevue, complete with worship, preaching, and baptisms.
In addition, we'll be live blogging about our 14 other churches as their reports come in throughout the day. So stay tuned and celebrate! Jesus rose from the dead, he is exactly who he said he was, and he freely offers us his righteousness—something we can never, ever earn!
That's worth celebrating!
Pastor Adam Ramsey and Courtney Cherest prepare to host our live stream online for the extended family of Mars Hill Global.
People are piling in to celebrate Jesus. You can feel the excitement!
8:30 a.m.
Pastor Dustin Kensrue, with his band and full choir, kick off with worship saturated with pounding drum beats, inviting the congregation to celebrate Jesus.
Pastor Dustin wraps up the first section of worship.
Pastor Dave Bruskas has taken the stage, reviewing the history of Mars Hill Church through the lens of Easter celebrations. He introduces Pastor Mark Driscoll, who walks onto the stage.
Pastor Mark is greeting the church now with "Happy, happy, happy Easter!" He's going to work through Peter's sermon in the book of Acts, going back to the beginning of the church.
"The most important word is Jesus," he begins.
Pastor Mark goes on to remind us that God knows the future completely. History may look like happenstance and chance, but God knows exactly what he's doing, exactly what's coming, and he has a definite plan.
"Nothing is beyond the reach of his hand."
Part of that plan was coming down to us, as the god-man, known as Jesus of Nazareth.
Pastor Mark pointed out that lawless men planned to kill Jesus. God's goodness to us, as lawless people, reveals not only God's goodness, but our evil.
Jesus did wonderful miracles. He opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, raised the dead. So why did they kill Jesus? Because he claimed to be God. "Who do you say that he is?" asked Pastor Mark. How you answer that question is the most important thing in your entire life.
He went on to point out that God took the ultimate evil and used it for our good. God had a definite plan, he repeated. Nobody would have conceived of a humble God.
Once sin entered the world, he continued, it affected and infected everything with death and destruction, pain and suffering. Then Pastor Mark asked the question, "Where is Jesus?"
People die, he pointed out. Everyone in the room will die. "It doesn't matter how many advances we make in medicine," he said, we cannot remove the effects of sin, including danger, pain, sickness, and death.
Once again, people around the world are piping in, joining us on the live stream online to celebrate together.
"Muhammad is dead and buried, Krishna is dead and buried, Buddha is dead and buried, Abraham is dead and buried, David is dead and buried. Everybody who's ever lived is dead and buried. You're gonna die and be buried. Jesus? Dead, then not dead. That's different." Jesus is neither dead nor buried, because he rose. Everybody knew where Jesus' tomb was, but when he rose it didn't matter. Nobody went there because Jesus wasn't there anymore. No shrines, no memorials, nothing at the empty tomb. People could go see Jesus, hug him, have a meal with him, and be part of his Bible study for 40 days.
"Jesus conquered sin and death."
The conspiracy that followed Jesus' resurrection was the claim that the disciples stole his body. That's not true, said Pastor Mark, but even if that were the case, how did they bring the body back to life? Jesus was among the disciples, eating breakfast, hugging his friends, very much alive right in front of hundreds of eye witnesses. One of these eye witnesses was Thomas, who refused to believe that Jesus was alive until he saw with his own eyes. Then Jesus showed up and Thomas worshiped him as God.
"No other religion has a founder who makes this claim: 'I"m God.'" Pastor Mark pointed out that Jesus claimed to be God. So he is either the greatest liar in the history of the world or he is exactly who he said he was.
"We're not dead because Jesus is alive."
Crowds upwards of 500 people at a time saw Jesus risen from death. His family worshiped him as God after the resurrection. The book of James was written by Jesus' little brother. Jesus' enemies, like Paul, worshiped him when they met him risen from death.
"There is no explanation for Christianity apart from Jesus' resurrection. God had a definite plan," said Pastor Mark.
Looking into Acts 2, Pastor Mark said, "They heard this message and they were cut to the heart. My question for you is, are you cut to the heart today? The problem is sin, the answer is Jesus." Being cut to the heart is God's kindness to you, he added. God has a definite plan.
"Is the Father calling out to you? Is he calling you to himself? Is he calling you to take the hand of Jesus and walk home, with him, to your father?"
Pastor Mark warned against taking your time to "save yourselves from this crooked generation." You need a sense of urgency, he said. Don't bide your time. "God will not be mocked, you will reap what you sow." When you stand before God, comparing yourself to the majority of people will not save you. Your lifestyle is likely intolerable to God, your choices are likely intolerable to God, regardless of how you compare to other people. God's desire is to be lord and for you to follow him. "Only Jesus saves."
Pastor Mark explained that guilt can be removed and filth can be cleansed by Jesus.
"He's so gentle, he's so loving, he's so persevering...Are you ready to give your sin to Jesus?"
"I want you to leave here feeling clean, feeling hopeful, feeling healed in your soul. Give yourself and give your sin to your savior."
Pastor Mark invited people to come and be baptized. Just like a wedding ring is an outward sign that shows an internal covenant, so baptism is an outward sign of our inward covenant with God when we are saved by Jesus. And for anybody who didn't come prepared to be baptized, he added, don't worry! We have extra clothes and towels!
"If you come to Jesus, God will forgive you of all of your sins." And he will give you the Holy Spirit, who will change you internally, so that every day, little by little, you'll become more like Jesus.
"Give your sin and give yourself to Jesus."
Pastor Mark prayed and left the stage, where Pastor Dustin once more took over with his band and the choir. He reiterated the invitation to come and be baptized.
Before the first song had finished, baptisms were underway!
Cheers resounded throughout the auditorium as people came back up out of the water.
Songs of praise continue to resound as baptisms go on in the midst!
Pastor Thomas Hurst came to the stage and exhorted the crowd right before the band started in on Agnus Dei. Remember, Jesus loves you!
We'll continue baptizing as long as it takes! If you're anywhere near one of our churches, join us as we continue celebrating with services through the day! And if you're considering getting baptized, we'll be here, with t-shirts and towels.
A dad baptizes his son after being baptized himself.
In fact, he's baptizing his whole family. After being baptized, his wife, Laurie, told us, "We wanted to get baptized to honor and obey Jesus. I’m more calm and peaceful and not as judgmental since Jesus has come into my life."
Join the conversation with #JesusSaves.
Technically, the service is over, but people are still getting baptized. The next Bellevue service kicks off at 10:30 a.m.
After being baptized, a woman named Christie shared with us her reasons for getting dunked this Easter Sunday: "I was baptized as an infant. I wanted to be baptized by my own decision. I’ve seen Jesus work in my daily life and he’s been with me through the good and bad times. I know I’m loved by him. I know he works."
Christie's daughter, Marnie, was also baptized. "Jesus has been a good source of trust," she said. "I want to embrace his plans for my life."
Megan was also baptized today and told us, "I’ve wanted to get baptized for many years, I just haven’t gotten up the courage. I’ve been a Christian since I was 14. Jesus has blessed me in hard time, even when it seems like nothing good has happened, he brings something amazing out of it."
"I’ve been a Christian for about 6 months. I feel like Jesus wants to use me to spread the gospel." —Tyler, still drying off after being baptized.
It's 10:20 a.m. Ten minutes to go. Let's do this again!
10:30 a.m.
Here we go! Pastor Thomas Hurst is onstage, welcoming an exuberant crowd of people, inviting them to get on their feet and sing out to Jesus. Here comes the band!
Contemporary worship is blended with classic hymns.
Worship has begun! People like Jason and Jewell, visiting from Boston, are praising Jesus, our risen savior.
Pastor Dave is once again introducing Pastor Mark, who has just stepped onto the stage. He is greeting the church with the reminder that Jesus is alive, to which they are cheering, applauding, and whistling.
"God has a definite plan for you."
"Getting baptized has been long overdue. I wasn’t even going to be here today. My boyfriend said I should try out this church so I decided to check it out. When Pastor Mark said we’re doing baptisms, I started crying. I thought, ‘I was meant to be here today.’"—Cassidee
Pastor Mark has finished his sermon. Baptisms are already underway—here we go!
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
"There’s no better life than a life with God." —Vita, after being baptized this morning.
"I was baptized as a baby and have felt for many years like I needed to be baptized. I just moved to Seattle and Jesus has provided so many Christian friends. He’s given me everything that I’ve needed since I moved here." —Kristen, freshly baptized.
"I just realized I wanted to continue living for God and I just realized I wanted to announce that publicly today. I’ve been going to church most of my life but now I’m truly using my knowledge as an adult to really follow God. Jesus has helped me to not be deceived by sin and let my temptations grow into bigger sins. I’ve witnessed his glory and mercy." —Lusi, baptized this morning.
The second service of the morning is done, but baptisms will continue as long as there are people to dunk.
"I met Jesus a year ago and my life completely changed. Two weeks ago I heard a sermon and felt so compelled to be baptized. It completely boiled up inside of me and I thought, I have to do this. I felt like this was a perfect completion to my new life. Jesus has helped my health in so many ways. I had so many health conditions they couldn’t give me answers to and they disappeared. Financially, he continues to provide. I used to get really anxious of how am I going to make ends meat and he’s been faithful in providing. My eyes, heart, mind—I’m totally renewed." —Rachel
Pastor Miles Rohde baptizes his daughter at the 10:30 a.m. service.
The 10:30 a.m. service is done! One more to go in Bellevue, starting at 12:30 p.m. PDT (That's half eight BST for those of you joining us in the U.K.!)
Nine minutes until...
12:30 p.m.
With the pounding of drums, the third and final service of the day in Bellevue has begun!
More worship, more praise, more hoots and hollers from an excited group of people celebrating Jesus' victory over death. Pastor Dave is onstage, giving an update on what's been going on in our various churches this Easter Sunday, complete with photos that you can view in this post.
Pastor Dave has introduced Pastor Mark, who is now starting his sermon for the third time this morning.
The auditorium has a vibrant atmosphere, with people cheering in response to the reminder that Jesus is alive.
People are chiming in from around the world, telling us where they're celebrating from. Join the conversation using #JesusSaves.
Pastor Mark is praying now, and the band is taking its place behind him.
Finished praying, Pastor Mark announced that he will be in one of the tanks baptizing his aunt.
Baptisms begin almost as soon as the band starts playing! A young girl with a side ponytail is up first, the very beginning of a line up of people.
Pastor Mark climbs into the tank....
...and he and his mom baptize his aunt.
"I was baptized as a kid but I felt like I needed to have recollection of my own baptism. I feel it’s important to know when you’re baptized. If you can’t, what are you repenting for? There are times when I’ve been too weak to go through the struggles I’ve had in my life but God helped me get through a lot of those times." —Taylor
Pastor Thomas Hurst has buttoned up the service, but the music and baptisms continue.
Thank you for celebrating with us today. God bless you and yours. Have a wonderful Easter!
Happy Easter, church!
It has been a long day, but the excitement and the celebrations go on.
Javier, an Executive Pastor Resident with Mars Hill, baptizes his son.
"It was time to be baptized. I’ve been a Christian for three years. [A friend] introduced me to Jesus and I started reading the Bible. It’s been a big transformation, 180 degrees from what I was. Everything is different. I’ve completely changed, I’m so happy. My personality changed. I really love people. I feel like I’m more compassionate and sympathetic to people. It is impossible to do it by myself. It’s all Jesus. I’m looking forward to the next years of my life. I’ve never been excited before about the future." —Igor
Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed.
