This is the second in a series of posts by the Mars Hill campus pastors looking at how God has moved across Mars Hill Church during 2009. Pastor Samuel Choi is the campus pastor from the Federal Way campus.

God is moving in Federal Way!

I praise Jesus for many evidences of God’s grace this year as we witnessed the birthing of a new Mars Hill campus in Federal Way. Personally, it was an answer to my prayers asking, "What does a gospel-centered, missional church with a passion for evangelism look like?" God is a missionary God who sends his Son, Jesus, as a missionary to the world (John 3:17) to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and who sends the missionary church (John 20:21) to proclaim the gospel of his kingdom (Matthew 24:14). The following three phrases capture the evidence of God’s grace as it was revealed in the Federal Way campus this year.

Gospel Unity (Philippians 2:1-5)

Preparation for the Federal Way campus launch provided a wonderful opportunity to witness the truth behind the age-old phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." The launch of our campus brought pastors, deacons, members and volunteers from different campuses and departments together in a collaborative effort. Beginning with the informational meeting in May to launch team trainings throughout the summer, we praise God for unity in vision, mission, and ministry teams in creating a grand opening on September 20 that brought 518 people to meet Jesus.

Gospel Diversity (Acts 2:5-11)

The Federal Way campus population embodies economic, educational, ethnic as well as generational and cultural groups. The opening of our campus provided an awesome way to embody gospel diversity. According to a Federal Way School District Fact Sheet, our campus serves a community with:

• 51.7 % minority student population
• 48.3% in/near poverty (based on free and reduced lunch figures)
• 10.5 % transitional/bilingual
• 105 languages spoken by district families

Because of this, we have the unique opportunity to seek and save those that are lost in the experiences and challenges of minority, poverty, and identity fears and struggles. We are humbled and honored to be able to declare and demonstrate the mighty works of God unto all nations in Federal Way.

Gospel Growth (Acts 2:46-47)

Amazingly, in less than one month we saw the need and were able to and transition into two services (9 am and 11:15 am) and have seen more than 400 in attendance. More than 100 members and volunteers are now leading a dozen ministry teams that facilitate worship services and services to visitors and unbelievers. Community groups are learning and experiencing the gospel movement and transformations in their lives. We are asking the following questions as we experience rapid numeric growth:

• What does a decentralized church look like?
• What does a deprogrammed church look like?
• What does detoxification of religiosity look like?

God is indeed great, gracious, good and glorious in His will, words, and works. We praise Jesus for being our Lord and Savior. We want to move forward guided and guarded by the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the gospel of God’s kingdom represented in Jesus and in his people.