Ashly, 23
Single, Greenwood
I feel like more of the Mars Hill men that I’ve come in contact with put forth effort to honor women, and even the guys in our Community Group, they’re all very respectful men, and they’ve actually helped change my perspective from being in Southern California and dealing with a different kind of man. … I’m being exposed to a lot more men up here, which is nice, as opposed to boys. Or adolescents. It gives me hope. … I appreciate even just watching Pastor Mark with his wife. I glanced over at them [during a member meeting] and just watched the way they interacted, he was taking notes, she was praying. I come from a divorced family so I’ve never seen a good, healthy Christ-centered relationship.
I remember walking into the very first sermon I heard here, which was the first sermon of the Peasant Princess series, and listening to Pastor Mark open that series. … I literally had never stepped into a church where I’ve never heard it put so clearly … where he was saying, “Men honor women.” “Men, get a job.” “Love Jesus.” “You are to grow up, leave your home, take a job. And then pursue a girl. And pursue her. Don’t beat around the bush or kinda be like, ‘Hey, so I like you,’ and then kinda expect her to make some move, but to actually pursue her with honor and respect.” And I was sitting there listening to Pastor Mark say this just so bluntly, and I thought, if the guys in this room take half of what he is saying, they’re already better than the men I’ve known.
Avianca, 29
Married, Mukilteo
I like the fact that they’re getting a good, biblical foundation for who they are supposed to be in the world, and that they seem to committed to getting that information and coming back and growing as people.
How does how the men here treat you compare to how guys outside the church treat you?
They’re more considerate for the most part. I’m big on manners, and a lot of the men here have really excellent manners, which I appreciate. It’s nice. Just in holding the door open for women, letting them walk through the door first, walking women to their car late at night so they’re not walking by themselves. There’s a lot of chivalry; it’s awesome.
Some women would be offended by that. What would you say about that?
That that’s silly. I just disagree. I don’t understand why it’s upsetting to not be alone in the dark by yourself. That doesn’t upset me.
Stephanie, 23
Single, Greenwood
The main difference is hearing versus listening. Some guys just hear Pastor Mark, but don’t apply what he’s saying, but others listen and apply it and take it to heart. … [These guys] listen and act. They take action to ask a girl out and then they follow through.
Barb, 57
Married, Everett
What does it mean for you to have your son coming to Mars Hill?
Oh, it’s changed his life, brought him to close to the Lord. He put Jesus first in his life instead of drugs and other things that were taking over his life.
What parts of the message are you most grateful to hear as a mother?
Just being a godly man, learning how to be a husband, father.
Yuki, 24
Dating, Westlake
What have you noticed about the men at MH that’s different from other guys?
I’m a little biased because I’m dating a MH guy, but I’ve dated both non-Christian and Christian, and a lot of the guys you meet, the worldly ones (I guess if you wanna put it that way) are very egotistical and very concerned about how well they’re performing in all the areas that the world tells you make sense. … You know, you meet a guy out in a bar and he’ll come up to you and it’s like, “Oh, I was the best at this, I used to do this. Here’s my résumé for why you should date me.”
Instead, here [with MH guys], it’s like, “You know, I’m not perfect. But I’m striving to serve you. I’m striving to do better all the time.” … It’s one of the things I’ve appreciated most just about [my boyfriend] and all of the other guys I’ve met through Community Group and elsewhere in church. They’re taking initiative. They’ll say, “Wow I really failed at this this week, and I need prayer about that. I need to work at that.” They realize, “No, I’m not perfect, but I have Jesus and I can work through those things.”
These ladies were interviewed at the Sunday services at the Ballard campus by MH staff editor Holly K. and photographed by blog team volunteer Karen W.
