We serve a loving and gracious God, who loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins and rise from the grave, conquering Satan, sin, and death (John 3:16). Though we were headed down a path of death and destruction, those who have faith in Jesus are now redeemed and made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5). In response to this amazing grace and work of redemption, we are sent on mission to glorify God by sharing the hope we have in Jesus with those who don’t yet know him.

In the past year, this has been evident in a variety of ways at the Ballard campus. More and more people have become unsatisfied with simply going to church, and are now striving to grow in their understanding of what it means to be the church—a redeemed community on mission for Jesus. Worship has been more passionate, giving has been more faithful and generous, and repentance has been more consistent. Fewer people are consuming and treating the church like a hotel; instead, more people are contributing and seeing it as their home.

Specifically, we’ve seen nearly 350 people get baptized—100 in the last two months—including several kids, whose parents baptized them after being baptized themselves. Some of these people were baptized immediately after becoming Christians. Others finally wanted to publically profess their faith in Jesus. Many of these folks have had amazing stories of redemption, including one guy who met with Pastor Jamie and heard the gospel through a Muslim translator and trusted the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As is often the case at Mars Hill, we’ve seen over 100 people get married this past year. One couple, who started attending Mars Hill earlier this year, was living together when they first started attending. The gal became a Christian, which initially upset the guy because he thought she would love God more than him. However, soon after that, God saved him, too. They attended a Considering Marriage Seminar together and became convicted about living together, so they separated. They attended the premarital class and counseling sessions and grew tremendously. During their last counseling session, the guy told Pastor Phil that his hope and prayer for her during their marriage was that she would always love God more than him—the one thing he had once feared.

We’ve also witnessed many people, through the power of the Holy Spirit, turn from sin, repent, and be redeemed. Dozens of people have met with a pastor, deacon, or volunteer after a service to confess sin and pray for forgiveness. In some cases, God has convicted people not to have an abortion, not to commit suicide, or not to get a divorce. People have also been miraculously healed of cancer and other diseases. Others have experienced healing from years of physical, emotional, and mental abuse, including rape and molestation.

God’s redemptive work is also happening in community. In the past year, over 150 people have participated in a Redemption Group, in which they’ve learned to apply the gospel to the sins they’ve committed or the ones committed against them. One woman who was in counseling about her severe past abuse had been recommended by her counseling pastor to attend a Redemption Group. Intimidated by the prospect of sharing her story in a group, she quietly avoided the opportunity to sign-up for a group. The following quarter, the pastor encouraged her again, and though still nervous, she decided to take the risk. God met her there in the Redemption Group and she experienced life transformation, made new friendships with understanding women, and even hopes to lead a Redemption Group herself one day.

The vision of planting 100 campuses and 1,000 churches in the next 10 years to see thousands become disciples of Jesus increases the need for more leaders in all areas of ministry. We’ve been blessed to raise up two new pastors—Pastor Joel Brown and Pastor Matt Jensen—at the Ballard campus this year, as well as hundreds of deacons, Community Group and Redemption Group leaders and apprentices. There are currently almost 1300 members at the Ballard campus—350 just from this past year with 375 more in the process. The members of Mars Hill are the core of the church and the goal is to raise up hundreds of more leaders.

The 130 plus Community Groups in the Ballard area have started to own the mission of reaching their neighborhoods. Many groups—like one in Greenlake that cleaned up a park, planted some trees and shrubs, and painted a mural—have used MicroMissions funds to serve their neighborhood. Others have participated in the work that’s already being done in their communities by joining neighborhood councils and associations.

Evidences of God’s grace can also be seen outside of the Ballard area. The increase in generosity at our campus contributed to the launch of the U-District service at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall, which now has close to 400 people who attend. We also sent people to help launch the Federal Way campus, which has already added an additional service. And we continue to have an ongoing relationship with four church plants in Acts 29 Network in the U.S. and Canada and the folks at Vision Nationals in India.

One of the questions we must continue to ask ourselves is if the Ballard campus were to disappear, would anyone miss it? Would anyone care? Have we as a campus created a legacy of loving people the way God loves us—humbly, sacrificially, and faithfully?

The truth is there are literally thousands of people in our area alone who don’t know Jesus. Thankfully, God chooses to use people like us to make himself known and to demonstrate his love and grace. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we’re called to continue worshiping Jesus, giving generously of our time, treasure, and talent, and living on mission to glorify God and love our neighbors, so that more people will know Jesus.

To learn more about the Generous Campaign, visit the Mars Hill Church blog.

Find Pastor Bubba on Facebook and Twitter.

At the Feet of the Father | 8 Weeks of Seeking the Will of God Through Prayer and Worship The Bible is abundantly clear that there is only one true God and God reveals himself as Father, Son and Spirit. (Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; John 1:1–4, 2 Cor. 3:16–18). So how should we approach God in prayer & worship? In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus teaches us how. From September 30th-November 18th, come to the Ballard campus on Wednesday nights at 7:00 for a night of worship and prayer as we seek to honor Jesus by praying like him and living out his word together. Children’s Ministry will be available each week.

Proxy Wednesday Nights Hey, students! Proxy has officially started, if you are between the ages of 10 and 18, come to the Paradox on Wednesday at 7pm! Proxy is the junior high and high school student ministry at Mars Hill Church, which exists to reach students, connect them in community, teach them the truth of the Bible and equip them to live for Jesus. E-mail ballardproxy@marshillchurch.org for more information. E-mail if you have questions.

Redemption Night For those facing difficult and seldom-discussed struggles, like abuse, addiction, and trials of all sorts, Redemption Groups offer a time for growing in knowledge of how God changes our lives by the Gospel. Redemption Night starts with a main session (open to everyone) with teaching based in Exodus and the Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom. Breakout sessions include the Group Track (intense small groups that dig deep into difficult areas of life; participation in these groups requires advance registration) and the Training Track (for volunteer counselors in training and existing ministry leaders). The next session starts September 30th at 7:00pm and Children’s Ministry will available each week. Email for more information.

Interested in training as a biblical counselor or a Redemption Group leader? Join us for Redemption Night on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm at the Ballard campus and stay after the main session for a leadership informational meeting starting at 7:45pm with Pastor Mike Wilkerson. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about these leadership roles, and hear about next steps in training. Email any questions.

Campus Cleanup Thursdays | 6:30pm Every Thursday at 6:30pm, Campus Cleanup prepares the Ballard campus for Sunday services. Join us for a time of studying Scripture, prayer, snacks, and cleaning & maintenance. Anyone who desires to worship Jesus, serve the church, and build community is welcome to attend. Email for more info.

Community Groups We were created to worship Jesus in community in the Image of our Creator, who Himself exists in community. At Mars Hill, community groups are the place where discipleship and care take place. It is also within community that we engage culture and incarnate Jesus in the nooks and crannies of our city. It is our desire to see every member of Mars Hill loved, cared for, and challenged within a thriving community. For more info, or for help in finding a community in your area, go to The City (”Find a Community”) or e-mail.

Mars Hill Church Ballard lives for Jesus as a city within the city of Seattle: knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus. For more information, visit us HERE. For information on community groups go HERE. For info on membership at MH, click HERE. For general questions, you can email us at ballard@marshillchurch.org.

As I anticipate the arrival of our first child in April, I am overwhelmed by countless messages on how I should prepare for motherhood. As I fight to set the world’s view and advice aside, I am instead seeking guidance and wisdom from God’s own Word and through the godly women who have experienced the transition to motherhood first hand. In this and my next few posts, I will be sharing stories from three Mars Hill Ballard women, each in a different stage of motherhood. The fourth post in my motherhood series will be my own reflection of the things I’ve learned and how God is preparing me to be a first time mother.

Recently, I had the honor of meeting with Shelly Jennings, wife of Pastor Bubba Jennings and mother of two boys, Jones (3 years) and Jackson (6 months). When Shelly married Bubba 8 years ago, she thought she already had it all figured out since she had been a Christian for so long and had a great example from her parents’ 40 year Christian marriage. Recalling their first year of marriage though, Shelly admits that she lacked humility and was self-righteous in her thinking that she didn’t see her need for sanctification.

“I remember realizing that I actually had a problem submitting. Then I had a Holy Spirit moment and heard God say, “Do you understand what it means to be under submission?”

Shelly learned that oneness and submission can’t be separated. “It’s easy to submit when you are one; but when you have your own agenda, there is separation.” And as Shelly became more open to God changing and humbling her, she found that submission also became easier.

Shelly recognizes that marriage was her first big moment of realizing how selfish she was. But it was motherhood that became the second and ever bigger moment of seeing her selfishness in such great magnitude.

“Realizing that your time is not your own and it’s so easy to get all consumed with the kids and completely neglect your first two priorities, Jesus and your husband. It’s really easy to get totally self-focused as you’re figuring out this whole mothering thing, especially at the beginning when it’s hard and it’s stressful.”

Shelly says that learning to balance her time with Jesus, her husband and her kids is a daily challenge. “It’s not something I’ve figured out. I have days where I am having a hard time and then finally stop and think, maybe it’s because I didn’t consider reading my Bible, or I didn’t consider praying for our day or even going to God with my discipline problems. It’s got to be a daily practice.”

Shelly also tries to see everything as an act of worship. Worship to her can be praising God for the opportunity to be home with her kids to teach them who Jesus is, while she picks up toys for the twentieth time that day!

“I like to start the day by thinking about what my priorities are. Not just what are the things that need to get done today, because there will always be something to catch up on. Life needs to be a journey of worship, not a task.”

Tera became a Christian at Mars Hill|Ballard 5 years ago and is currently a deacon in the Redemption Group ministry where she and her husband, Deacon Greg Allen, serve as group leaders. She is passionate about walking with women through trials and encouraging them to worship Jesus in suffering. She and Greg have been married since February and are expecting their first baby in April.

Over the next month, each neighborhood collection of community groups will be gathering together locally to rejoice in what Jesus is doing in our city. If you’re already in community, don’t miss this chance to join with other groups in your area for food and celebration. If you haven’t yet connected in community, take the opportunity to meet others living on mission for Jesus – find a group that meets near you!

Upcoming multi-group gatherings:

GREENLAKE / PHINNEY / WALLINGFORD / FREMONT
Monday, November 9th 6:30pm
Emmanuel Bible Church, 503 North 50th St

GREENWOOD / CROWN HILL / NORTHGATE / HALLER LAKE
Friday, November 13th 7pm
Crown Hill Center, 9250 14th Ave NW

BALLARD
Monday, November 23rd 6:30pm
Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St

MAGNOLIA
Tuesday, November 24th 7pm
Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave W

QUEEN ANNE
Saturday, December 12th 5pm
Queen Anne Community Center, 1901 1st Ave W

Luke 2:8-21

Ed Stetzer: MISSION, A Night with America’s Foremost Missiologist November 13th | 7PM-9PM Ballard is hosting a night with Ed Stetzer. This is a free event in partnership with the Resurgence and Acts 29. Ed Stetzer is President of LifeWay Research, speaker, and author. Ed is a contributing editor for Christianity Today, among other publications, and has written an impressive list of books; such as Lost and Found The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them.

At the Feet of the Father | 8 Weeks of Seeking the Will of God Through Prayer and Worship The Bible is abundantly clear that there is only one true God and God reveals himself as Father, Son and Spirit. (Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; John 1:1–4, 2 Cor. 3:16–18). So how should we approach God in prayer & worship? In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus teaches us how. From September 30th-November 18th, come to the Ballard campus on Wednesday nights at 7:00 for a night of worship and prayer as we seek to honor Jesus by praying like him and living out his word together. Children’s Ministry will be available each week.

Proxy Wednesday Nights Hey, students! Proxy has officially started, if you are between the ages of 10 and 18, come to the Paradox on Wednesday at 7pm! Proxy is the junior high and high school student ministry at Mars Hill Church, which exists to reach students, connect them in community, teach them the truth of the Bible and equip them to live for Jesus. E-mail ballardproxy@marshillchurch.org for more information. E-mail if you have questions.

Redemption Night For those facing difficult and seldom-discussed struggles, like abuse, addiction, and trials of all sorts, Redemption Groups offer a time for growing in knowledge of how God changes our lives by the Gospel. Redemption Night starts with a main session (open to everyone) with teaching based in Exodus and the Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom. Breakout sessions include the Group Track (intense small groups that dig deep into difficult areas of life; participation in these groups requires advance registration) and the Training Track (for volunteer counselors in training and existing ministry leaders). The next session starts September 30th at 7:00pm and Children’s Ministry will available each week. Email for more information.

Interested in training as a biblical counselor or a Redemption Group leader? Join us for Redemption Night on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm at the Ballard campus and stay after the main session for a leadership informational meeting starting at 7:45pm with Pastor Mike Wilkerson. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about these leadership roles, and hear about next steps in training. Email any questions.

Campus Cleanup Thursdays | 6:30pm Every Thursday at 6:30pm, Campus Cleanup prepares the Ballard campus for Sunday services. Join us for a time of studying Scripture, prayer, snacks, and cleaning & maintenance. Anyone who desires to worship Jesus, serve the church, and build community is welcome to attend. Email for more info.

Community Groups We were created to worship Jesus in community in the Image of our Creator, who Himself exists in community. At Mars Hill, community groups are the place where discipleship and care take place. It is also within community that we engage culture and incarnate Jesus in the nooks and crannies of our city. It is our desire to see every member of Mars Hill loved, cared for, and challenged within a thriving community. For more info, or for help in finding a community in your area, go to The City (”Find a Community”) or e-mail.

Mars Hill Church Ballard lives for Jesus as a city within the city of Seattle: knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus. For more information, visit us HERE. For information on community groups go HERE. For info on membership at MH, click HERE. For general questions, you can email us at ballard@marshillchurch.org.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My heart naturally resists depending on God when I’m weak. The noise in my heart, amplified by tough self-sufficiency, can drown out the Holy Spirit’s reminder: “my power is made perfect in your weakness.”

…yet weakness is a gift.
There are the times when his voice breaks through the noise and exposes my heart. It is a struggle to swallow my pride and obey, but it is in that turn of repentance—right in the midst of the mess—that I begin to hope again.

The truth is that I am weak every second, not just when I feel overwhelmed. Jesus wants me to see that when I am overwhelmed, he is giving me a gracious gift: the ability to see more clearly my constant need for him. So rather than denying weakness, I can boast in it because it draws me closer to Jesus in worship.

For example, the other day I was scurrying around the house getting stuff done, feeling very behind on my seemingly urgent tasks. Our third child invited me to play dolls. Pause. Graciously say no, or accept this opportunity to connect with my daughter? In the moment, my heart was faint, overwhelmed with my work. I thought, “I can’t play right now!” Yet, the Holy Spirit changed my thoughts to dependence and flexibility in my weakness. We had a great time playing. When I went back to work, my heart was more tender than it had been previously.

Feeling overwhelmed is a signal to check my heart’s dependence on God. Am I softened to the Holy Spirit? Digging in to depend on God? Do I find my soul’s refreshment in God’s sufficiency? In these times, I’m learning to cling to my Savior, who accomplished perfect work on the cross and continues to save me from my sin. God meets me at the point of my prideful self-sufficiency and lovingly brings me to my knees in worshipful dependence.

Worship through work is not just working hard for God’s glory; it is also in the attitude of humility, realizing how weak and unable we are. We can all grow in dependence on Christ and boast in our weakness. We must humble ourselves before the face of God and thank him for the gift of weakness.

Trisha is the wife of Pastor Mike Wilkerson and mother of four children (2 to 8 years). Mars Hill has been her church home for the past 10 years, where she serves as a deacon at the Ballard Campus in the Redemption Group ministry and as a volunteer counselor. In addition to her bi-weekly posts here, you can read more about what Jesus is teaching her at www.workandworship.com.

Luke 2:8-21

Ed Stetzer: MISSION, A Night with America’s Foremost Missiologist November 13th | 7PM-9PM Ballard is hosting a night with Ed Stetzer. This is a free event in partnership with the Resurgence and Acts 29. Ed Stetzer is President of LifeWay Research, speaker, and author. Ed is a contributing editor for Christianity Today, among other publications, and has written an impressive list of books; such as Lost and Found The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them.

At the Feet of the Father | 8 Weeks of Seeking the Will of God Through Prayer and Worship The Bible is abundantly clear that there is only one true God and God reveals himself as Father, Son and Spirit. (Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; John 1:1–4, 2 Cor. 3:16–18). So how should we approach God in prayer & worship? In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus teaches us how. From September 30th-November 18th, come to the Ballard campus on Wednesday nights at 7:00 for a night of worship and prayer as we seek to honor Jesus by praying like him and living out his word together. Children’s Ministry will be available each week.

Proxy Wednesday Nights Hey, students! Proxy has officially started, if you are between the ages of 10 and 18, come to the Paradox on Wednesday at 7pm! Proxy is the junior high and high school student ministry at Mars Hill Church, which exists to reach students, connect them in community, teach them the truth of the Bible and equip them to live for Jesus. E-mail ballardproxy@marshillchurch.org for more information. E-mail if you have questions.

Redemption Night For those facing difficult and seldom-discussed struggles, like abuse, addiction, and trials of all sorts, Redemption Groups offer a time for growing in knowledge of how God changes our lives by the Gospel. Redemption Night starts with a main session (open to everyone) with teaching based in Exodus and the Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom. Breakout sessions include the Group Track (intense small groups that dig deep into difficult areas of life; participation in these groups requires advance registration) and the Training Track (for volunteer counselors in training and existing ministry leaders). The next session starts September 30th at 7:00pm and Children’s Ministry will available each week. Email for more information.

Campus Cleanup Thursdays | 6:30pm Every Thursday at 6:30pm, Campus Cleanup prepares the Ballard campus for Sunday services. Join us for a time of studying Scripture, prayer, snacks, and cleaning & maintenance. Anyone who desires to worship Jesus, serve the church, and build community is welcome to attend. Email for more info.

Community Groups We were created to worship Jesus in community in the Image of our Creator, who Himself exists in community. At Mars Hill, community groups are the place where discipleship and care take place. It is also within community that we engage culture and incarnate Jesus in the nooks and crannies of our city. It is our desire to see every member of Mars Hill loved, cared for, and challenged within a thriving community. For more info, or for help in finding a community in your area, go to The City (”Find a Community”) or e-mail.

Mars Hill Church Ballard lives for Jesus as a city within the city of Seattle: knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus. For more information, visit us HERE. For information on community groups go HERE. For info on membership at MH, click HERE. For general questions, you can email us at ballard@marshillchurch.org.