Shan Applin is the Children’s ministry Director for Mars Hill Church | West Seattle Campus. He and his wife, Shauna, have attended Mars Hill since 2003, and live in Kent.

Role at Mars Hill

Children’s Ministry Director of MHC | West Seattle, which means I oversee everything we do as a church that involves children ages 6 months through 10.

Wife’s name

Shauna, which makes it difficult for people to get our names correct.and by people I mean my mother.

When did you become a Christian

I was saved at age 6 in the Free Methodist Church in Hoquiam, WA. I was led to the Lord by my Sunday school teacher Roberta Olson. I was baptized in the nearby Wynoochee River at age 8.The story of Jesus drawing me to Himself is much less brief and full of rabbit trails where I decided my way was more exciting and fulfilling than His way, as well as many eraser marks and tales of redemption and grace where I was deserving of neither. Thankfully it is also a story with blank pages He is awesomely, faithfully helping me write.

First set foot in MH

I found MH because I was in a place in my life where Jesus was really working on me, but I did not have a home church. Then I met a girl who was walking humbly and passionately with Jesus so I followed her to where she was going to church because I figured they must be doing something right. The Holy Spirit deeply convicted me through Mark’s preaching of the Word and I started to fall in love with Jesus in a new and more passionate way and have been here ever since.

Became a deacon

December 2006.

How did you end up in West Seattle

I was serving in the Children’s ministry at Ballard when the Lord, working through several channels, helped me to quit my job with a non-profit organization I had been with for several years. Three days later I was approached by Pastor Dick who told me he had been praying about who Jesus would send to fill the position of CM director at WS and he knew it was supposed to be me. I told him that “I would pray about it”, which was a nice way of saying my plans were for something altogether different from children’s ministry. When I did pray about it, however, I found myself also knowing that this is where Jesus wanted me. When I went to my fiancé for a second opinion I was met instead by more, and very enthusiastic, validation. So I chose to submit, and am so happy that I did because I am now able to tell people that I know I am in the place where Jesus has been steering me through years of pruning and correction. I thank God for Mars Hill West Seattle and am humbled regularly that God is allowing me to be a small part of the work He is doing here.

Scripture

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20″For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Quotation

“I like to picture Jesus in a tuxedo T-Shirt because it says I want to be formal, but I’m here to party. -Cal Naughton, Jr.

Last book read and what are you working on now

Last: Love and Respect, Emerson EggerichsNow: How People Change (again), Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp

Last movie watched

The Golden Compass, don’t boycott me bro!

Radio

The New “B” 97.3 KBSGTalk 770 KTTH “The Truth”

Favorite Seattle-area eatery

Simply Thai (The one By E.E. Robbins in South Center) - Gra Tiem and Nur Som Stir Fry plates will change your life!