Dear Family,
Proverbs 3:5–6 is such a familiar passage and it is so helpful during this time:“Trust in the Lord will all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” We pray that the Holy Spirit would empower each of us to be able to trust him and to embrace his sovereignty in our individual lives and the life of our church.
Baptisms at Bellevue
This past week at Bellevue, seven people publicly confessed Christ as their Lord and Savior through baptism! It was a great reminder that even in the midst of turmoil, Jesus is still King and is always the “mighty one who will save” (Zeph. 3:17)!
We are excited to celebrate more baptisms this coming Sunday at the other church locations. Please contact your lead pastor today if you want to get baptized.
Recent Pastoral Changes
A number of elders and staff members have resigned from Mars Hill in recent weeks. We respect these decisions as personal ones made between the individuals and the Lord, and would anticipate that some others may decide to resign in the weeks ahead.
As we have shared before, we have taken the concerns and disagreements submitted to us seriously, and our Board of Elders is reviewing the content of the letters we have received.
We are thankful for these men and their families, and the sacrifices and time they have put into supporting and helping lead this church. Our desire it to move forward in a godly way, learning what we can from the past, and continuing to focus on Jesus.
Pastor Josh McPherson | Guest Preacher
We are excited to welcome Pastor Josh McPherson as our guest preacher at Mars Hill Bellevue on Sunday. Pastor Josh is the Lead Preaching Elder at Grace City Church in Wenatchee, Washington and will be preaching the next sermon in the 1 John: Love One Another series. Grace City Church is an Acts 29 church with whom we have recently partnered to provide wildfire relief in Eastern Washington. He helped plant GCC in 2008 and they serve as the hub for the Northwest Region of Acts 29. He graduated from the Resurgence Training Center in 2010. He and his wife Sharon have four children: Ella Mae, Levi Gregory, Amelia Claire, and Gideon Joshua.
Mars Hill RED | Update
As you may be aware, Adam Ramsey notified us of his resignation from staffearlier this week. He will soon be moving back to Australia and planting a new church. We thank him for his service and he will be missed.
On Wednesday, your lead pastors met with students at each Mars Hill location that hosts Mars Hill RED, our ministry for junior and senior high school students. Going forward, each local church will be managing theirRED program, rather than distributing preaching each week via video. Your lead pastor will be providing more information in the coming weeks.
Staff Chapel | Pastor Dave Bruskas
Pastor Dave Bruskas started a new series on the book of Colossians at our Staff Chapel on Wednesday. He taught from the first half of chapter one looking at the Apostle Paul’s prayers for the Colossian believers. Pastor Dave challenged and encouraged the staff to be praying for deeper knowledge of God. We are excited to continue through Colossians in the coming weeks.
Donation Update | Washington Wildfire Relief Fund
Thank you so much for your generosity! As of yesterday evening, the newest amount that will be given to the victims of the devastating wildfires is $47,823! Please continue to give as the Lord leads you. Remember thatEVERY dollar will go to support, aid, and help the recovery of victims in Eastern Washington. The fund will close on September 15, so go here to give today!
Mars Hill Schools | First Day of Class
We were so excited to start the first semester of Mars Hill Schools on Tuesday! Please pray that the students would study hard and glorify Jesus in all of their hard work.
Here’s a blog to read more about the first day of classes:
We are so encouraged by your overwhelming support and requests to know how you can pray for our church. Here are some ways that you can be praying for Mars Hill:
- For Pastor Mark, Grace, and the kids. Pray for protection, safety, peace, and security. Pray that they would embrace the sovereignty of God during this difficult season.
- Pray that your lead pastors, executive pastors, and local church pastors would be empowered to faithfully and prayerfully care for you, the people of Mars Hill.
- For our current financial situation. We have seen a steady decline in giving and tithes and as we mentioned in last Friday’s Weekly, we are needing to make very difficult stewardship decisions.
- Pray for those who are hurt and confused, that they would seek the Lord and also seek help from pastors and their community of believers.
Sammamish: There is a teller at a bank next to the church with whom Pastor Alex Ghioni has developed a friendship over the past several months by frequenting the bank. When Pastor Alex got back from the elder retreat, he had a note in the mail from the teller. He had heard that our church was going through some difficult times and decided to send a note to encourage Pastor Alex. He was really blessed by the kindness of a stranger.
Rainier Valley: Daniel, a first time visitor, told Pastor Ed Choi that he had heard Pastor Mark on the radio before there was even a Mars Hill Church. He said that God saved him through listening to Pastor Mark on the radio. When he heard about everything going at Mars Hill, he wanted to come and hear Pastor Mark’s announcement last Sunday. Although saddened that Pastor Mark is stepping back for a time, he said he was encouraged to see the culture, love, and community at Mars Hill Rainier Valley.
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