This time last year I was brand new to Seattle. One of my first memories was Easter at Qwest Field. Not many people can say they’ve gone to church in a football stadium or seen almost 700 people be baptized in 30 minutes. What an amazing introduction to Mars Hill Church and God’s work in our midst.

Time to Scatter

As great as all that was, however, this year’s Easter celebration is shaping out to be even bigger, in many ways. Since last year, we’ve planted five new churches, re-planted three, expanded to four states, and opened up 9,000 new seats. Mars Hill Church looks very different than it did a year ago, and we’re grateful for all of the new faces and new places to call home.

We’ve got a lot of new ground to cover, a lot of new neighbors to invite, and a lot of new communities just getting to know us. So rather than gather up for Easter, this year we’re going to scatter throughout our respective cities and bring the good new of Jesus along with us.

Reason for Courage

On Easter we celebrate the fact that Jesus defeated death and rose again. After he accomplished this great work, he commanded his followers to go to all nations and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

That’s exactly what his disciples did, and they paid a heavy price through persecution, imprisonment, and even death. Why did these men and women face such dangers to preach Jesus? Because they knew he was alive and had defeated death. There was no longer anything to be afraid of. Jesus’ resurrection makes cowards courageous.

Make Disciples

Now, it’s our turn. With over 50 Good Friday and Easter services across ten cities in four states, we have a huge opportunity to live out King Jesus’ command today. The tomb is empty. We have nothing to fear. Be courageous!

Everyone has a friend, a co-worker, a family member, or a neighbor they could invite. Think of a couple people in your life who don’t know Jesus. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in their hearts. Trust that he will. And then invite them to join you at your local Mars Hill for Good Friday, or Easter Sunday, or both!

If everyone at Mars Hill Church brought along one person this year, we’d have 30,000 people! We’re praying for 20,000 and lots of baptisms, because we believe God is doing something great at Mars Hill—so great that it’s worth our faithfulness and our courage. It’s time to tell people about Jesus.

Post Script

All of Mars Hill has grown in the past year, but two of our churches in particular are busting at the seams. To make accommodations, Federal Way and Downtown Seattle will relocate for Easter Sunday, to Tacoma’s Rialto Theatre and Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, respectively. Same church, just a different building with more space to fit all of the people you’re going to invite.

Sutton Turner is the executive pastor for Mars Hill Church, overseeing central operations and business functions for the church.