This Sunday, September 18, we're excited to launch our newest church in Everett, some 30 miles north of Seattle. These next few days, we'll be profiling that church, its mission, leaders, and community here on the blog. First up, here's a Q&A with Scott Mitchell, executive pastor for Mars Hill Everett, where he talks about his story and the story of this church.

Part I: Meet Pastor Scott

I never thought I’d come back to Everett. After growing up two towns over in Monroe and then leaving the area, I never intended to move back to this part of the world. Actually, I was praying that God would send my wife and me to California or Hawaii. I’ve since repented of this, with gladness. Now, there is nowhere else on earth I would rather be a missionary.

What memories do you have of growing up in the area?

I would go to Everett every Saturday the year I played for the Monroe Wolfpack, a junior football team. Our team wasn’t very good, that may have been due to the fact that I was the quarterback. We would play in a field by the old Boys & Girls Club. We played a number of teams from Everett and got our butts kicked each weekend. I remember one game in particular because it was the only game we won. I recovered a fumble, ran for a touchdown, and got a few tackles of defense. I retired from football after that game. When I was growing up, my dad would train emergency responders on how to react to a hazardous material leak or spill. He would stage big events where there was a mock chemical spill and the emergency responders would have to contain and clean up the spill. One year he did one of these events for the Everett Fire Department. I was old enough to go with him and I also got to participate in the drill. I played the part of the victim who needed to be rescued from my car. This drill made the local news and was a big deal for Everett’s fire department.

A young Pastor Scott, playing the rescue victim

Later, I worked right by the Everett Mall, and as I drove to work each day, I would pray for different things along the route. From the exit off Highway 2 and onto I-5 until I hit 41st, I would pray for God to move in the city of Everett. I have no clue as to why I prayed this as a nineteen-year-old. But, now at thirty-three, it is a blessing to feel part of that answer to prayer. Last year when my wife and I were considering where to move when our lease was up in Lynnwood, I sat down with Pastor Steve [Tompkins] at Mars Hill Shoreline to discuss where God was calling my family. He told me to consider moving to Everett. I said to him, "No way, I grew up in Snohomish County and I know that God isn’t calling me back." When I told my lovely wife about the conversation, she asked if I had prayed about it. I told her that I didn’t have to because I knew God didn’t want us there. She kindly asked me to at least pray about it.

Pastor Scott at a Mars Hill Everett core gathering this summer

"God has truly broken my heart for this city in a powerful way. … I want to know this city and see what God has for it."

When I did pray about moving our little family, the Holy Spirit revealed to both of us that we were to go to Everett. Along with the call to help plant Mars Hill Everett, God so graciously gave me a vision for the city: to make more disciples and plant more churches, to plant Community Groups in each of the nineteen distinct neighborhoods, and to love the city and reach it through serving our neighbors and the poor in our community. God has truly broken my heart for this city in a powerful way. Every time I drive the streets of this city, I take a different route. I want to know this city and see what God has for it. I see and pray for the people whom God is going to call to be his own. This city needs Jesus.

How is your family adjusting to the move?

My wife, Monina, moved to the U.S. from Cambodia when she was six. Since moving here she has never lived off the 200th block in Lynnwood and so she was nervous for this move. In many ways, this move was much bigger then 20 miles. As she has stepped out to follow God’s calling, he met her with his blessing in Everett. A week after living in Everett, she told me that for the first time in her life she feels like she is home.

Also our daughter, Hadassah, has had many medical complications. God has asked us to trust him for her life, and we have. Today she is the cutest kid in the whole city of Everett. As we grow and mature as a family, it is evidenced by all of God’s grace that surrounds us that this is exactly where God wants us to be.

"We are ready. … We will set up our sails, and the Holy Spirit will fill them."

I’m really looking forward to going on Daddy Dates with my daughter in Everett. She’s only one right now, but as she continues to grow I plan on taking her to the many parks with beautiful vistas for picnics and walks. The only thing missing from downtown Everett is an ice cream shop. I’ll continue to pray for an ice cream shop so that Hadassah and I can go there for Daddy Dates, too.

Part II: Meet the Everett Church

What are the big opportunities and obstacles for of Mars Hill Everett?

There is an amazing opportunity to reach the Navy base with Jesus. Over 6,000 men and women serve our nation less than five miles away. Mars Hill is uniquely gifted to reach the men and women of the military, and we are praying that God will bless us with inroads into this community. Our biggest obstacle is the spiritual one. According to the latest census data, Christianity is growing at a slower rate in Snohomish County than it is in King County, and less than 10 percent of the population attends an evangelical, Bible-believing church. We pray that God will continue to open the blind eyes and that we may wage war spiritually in this dark place.

"If you don’t live in or around Everett, please pray for us. Pray for the 94,000 people in Everett who don’t know Jesus."

How can people get involved in the mission?

We have been blessed financially by Mars Hill Shoreline, who has planted us. That said, we still have many needs. More than anything, we need a permanent facility. For now we’ll be meeting at Everett Community College’s Fitness Center, and we have been able to build a great relationship with the college, but we need a place for offices and space to host evening services and midweek Doctrine classes and Redemption Groups. We are trusting God that he has these things for us, and if you want to support us and give so we can pursue real estate options, please do.

Taking advantage of the sunshine at another core gathering

If you live in or around Everett, join a Community Group, love your city, and tell your neighbor about Jesus while humbly depending on Jesus. We currently have thirteen Community Groups, and we are poised to double that number in the next year. As I have met with each one of these groups, I’ve seen that they act like families, each with a deep love for the city and a passion for mission. If you don’t live in or around Everett, please pray for us. Pray for the 94,000 people in Everett who don’t know Jesus. Pray that we may be given a building here in north Everett. Pray that we don’t work out of our own strength, but that we continue to depend on Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit for all things. Pray that we may see more disciples made and more churches planted in and around Everett.

We are ready. We are getting ready for what the Lord might do. We will set up our sails, and the Holy Spirit will fill them.

Mars Hill Everett will hold two inaugural services this Sunday at 9 and 11:15 a.m. at the ECC Fitness Center, located at 2206 Tower Street, Everett, WA 98201 [map]. For more from Everett, be sure to check out the Everett church's website and on Facebook, where you can RSVP.