This week we've looked at how we could come together as a multi-campus church and pray for the new campuses in Albuquerque and Federal Way. Another important part of the growth of Mars Hill Church is the addition of a new Ballard service location in the U-District. This group will be meeting on the University of Washington campus and is focusing on bringing the Gospel to the campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. After hearing his story we asked our newest pastor, Matt Jensen, to tell his story because it is more amazing evidence of God's goodness. In a church in the midst of growth like ours, we often need to pause, see the lesson, and celebrate when God reminds us that He is in control. He did that with Matt, his family, and the U-District in a powerful way last Sunday.

Introducing: Matt Jensen

Two Processes

Over the last few months I have learned that there are two Elder processes at Mars Hill: the process that the Elders require a candidate complete and the process that Jesus puts a man through. The later is way more intense. I love Mars Hill and was called to be a Pastor here over a year ago. While I have been in the process a lot has happened, especially in the last two months. In July my high school sweetheart Amy gave birth to our first child, Knox. He is amazing and we enjoyed him immensely for the first four days, but shortly thereafter Amy became very sick and battled with up-to-104-degree fevers for three weeks, going in and out of the hospital. It was a very long three weeks of having a newborn, learning to be parents, and my wife fighting a rogue infection that the doctors couldn’t figure out while I slept on a chair/bed that was neither of the two. Looking back I think God was preparing us for what was next. Over those three weeks, honestly Amy was solid as a rock, and Jesus was more than enough for us, but the next season is going to put our confidence in Christ to the test.

Trusting

Two weeks ago my brother-in-law Jason Dahlke was killed in action in Afghanistan while serving with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. His wife Niki, Amy’s sister, was with us at our house when she received the news. It was a brutal day. My heart broke for Niki and is still broken for her. During another long couple of weeks it has been harder to see Jesus as good and trustworthy, but deep down we know he is because he died for us and loves us. As you read this, please pray for Niki and her family to be comforted by the resurrected Jesus.

Baffled

In the midst of all of this we have been planning a new Sunday-night service in the U-District at Kane Hall on the UW Campus. There is much to do and the plane seems to be rolling down the runway only halfway put together. By God’s grace, most of that plane came together this past Sunday. I was installed as an Elder and we cast the vision to the Ballard campus for the ministry I am overseeing in the U-District. We have a huge heart to see people in that neighborhood know Jesus and we needed some resources to get to that end. We have been praying for Jesus to come through with an adequate sound system for the band and sermon, but with a week left until the launch we had the equivalent of high schooler’s stolen-car stereo as our PA system. After the 11:15 service in Ballard a young couple approached me in the foyer to let me know that they had a stellar turnkey sound rig that was completely mobile and would far exceed our needs this year. And we could use it for FREE! I was baffled! Who has one of those lying around!? Within hours we had it in our warehouse to be used this week! We were also asking the people of Ballard to give $25,000 to cover some of the startup costs, all of which came in with hundreds of small gifts, a couple large ones, and a blank check to cover what was left! Most importantly we had tons of people sign up to come with us and serve as we get going next Sunday at Kane Hall. It’s been a rollercoaster of a summer and I am sure this is the new normal, but Jesus has been and will always be enough. He is going to get his glory through our trials and in the U-District!