Below, Pastor Mark interviews Downtown Seattle Campus Pastor Tim Gaydos about the Saturday night service—Mars Hill's only one—launching next month.

Pastor Mark: Briefly, what is the history of the Downtown campus? Pastor Tim: In March 2008, Mars Hill Downtown was launched in the heart of the city. Our desire was to get upstream into the epicenter of our region in order to serve and love Seattle with the love that Jesus has extended to us. Historically, downtown Seattle has been the center of the "none zone," where more people than anywhere in the country indicate their religion as "none." Though one of the fastest-growing regions in Puget Sound, more churches have been leaving, selling off property, and abandoning their ministries, which elevated the need for a gospel-centered, missional church. This makes what God has been doing in downtown Seattle over the past three short years staggering. We’re seeing lives transformed at a dizzying rate, bearing fruit of conversions and baptisms. Over 220 people have been baptized in less than three years! We had thought it would be great to be a church that size after a couple years downtown. In fact, with attendance now over one thousand, Mars Hill Downtown is the largest church in downtown Seattle in decades. Jesus is truly at work.

PM: Why are you launching the Saturday night service?

PT: We don’t believe that God is anywhere close to being done transforming lives in the city; however, we’re tapped out when it comes to space. Our morning services are bananas and completely full, and our two Sunday evening services are getting full as well. But we’re not cool with saying that we’re done seeing people meet Jesus, so we want to open up more opportunities for people to see their lives changed. Also, there are tons of people downtown on Saturday nights, which will open up more bridges for people to hear the gospel and get plugged in to gospel community and be on mission in the city.

PM: What are the exact details of the Saturday night service?

PT: It is launching Saturday, March 12 at 6 p.m. Many have asked if this will be a JV service, with the fourth-string band and greeters who look at you weird when you walk in the door. I’m happy to report that the Saturday night service will be fully loaded with our top teams on duty, complete with regular children’s ministry as well as Mars Hill Downtown’s popular band, Ghost Ship. Also, I’m excited to have you [Pastor Mark] down to preach live at the inaugural launch of the service on March 12, and the text we’ll be covering that week in Luke is the parable of the prodigal son, which will be a powerful message for many in our city.

PM: Why do you think Saturday night will be an attractive option for some people?

PT: I think there are a few reasons that make Saturday night attractive for many:

1. For families it’s helpful because it can be tough to get the whole clan ready early in the morning, but to come out on Sunday night (a school night) is too difficult.
2. Our city is an outdoorsy city, and with a Saturday night service, people have the opportunity to respond to Jesus in corporate gathering and then have a full day to enjoy God’s creation on Sunday.
3. Many people love to come downtown for date night on Saturdays, and there’s no better way for a man to lead his woman well than to take her to service before dinner!
4. To be a light in darkness. Downtown Seattle on Saturday nights is the nightlife capital of the Pacific Northwest, so we will have numerous opportunities to spread out into our city after the service, to build relationships and love people well.
5. Singles will dig this service. After every service we rally people together to grab food in order to build community. With so many new people to Seattle and Mars Hill, this is a great chance to connect.

PM: If the Saturday night service works out at Downtown, do you think it will catch on at other campuses?

PT: Absolutely. In the Puget Sound region, I think Saturday services will be received well and will grow, particularly in the summer (August) when the weather is nice. Also, it is good stewardship of our property to maximize space and time. I’m hopeful that this will be the beginning of many new gospel opportunities for many of our campuses.