At Mars Hill West Seattle, we are blessed with rockin’, soulful, funky bands and band leaders who love Jesus, and lead us in musical worship each Sunday and during special events. This series will introduce us to the folks who rock the flock for Jesus.

Gareth Best

What’s your current role at Mars Hill West Seattle?

My current role is as a co-band leader of the Brothers of the Empty Tomb (BET), and I also lead a Redemption Group. My favorite “roll” is the smoked salmon and tempura sweet potato, flash fried with coconut shavings.

Tell us about yourself – job/family?

I was raised as a Christian in Wheaton Illinois. My dad is the same Harold Best that wrote “Unceasing Worship”, which is on our church bookshelves. My mother passed from cancer last year but was loved so well by the Lord throughout it all. Actually, my dad is remarrying over Thanksgiving! I have a brother and a sister, both married with children. My whole family including myself made an Exodus like the Israelites out of Chicago within the last ten years- they all stopped in Couer D’Alene and I kept on ’til I hit the water, and stopped here. I was reborn here in Seattle; I had left the faith and was running full speed from the Lord for almost 20 years. In fact, I was converted while reading my dad’s book. How ’bout that? Currently, I am dating a wonderful girl from the West Seattle campus-Mona Suriya. I have absolutely no-question-about-it-just-waitin’-on-the-date intentions to marry her. News very soon to follow-depends when this article comes out! We both have a total commitment to our church family here and intend on staying in West Seattle for the rest of our lives, Lord willing. So, I hope you folks dig the blues because I’m here and ready to make little blues guitarists for the future generations of MH.

Where are you from & how did you end up in West Seattle? When did you become a Christian?

I became a Christian in January 2004, right after I moved out here from Chicago. I was a professional musician in Chicago for 15 years, and got myself into a bit of rock’n’roll trouble. I left there to escape my habitual sins, and God said “Hey, tell you what. Stop running from me and run to me. It’s less tiring, I promise.” He actually had a job and a house lined up before I ever set foot here. I started in Rainier Beach at a rental house, working as a restaurant GM, went through two GM jobs and landed here in West Seattle, quit the restaurant biz and now work for James Armstrong, the singer in BET.

When did you first set foot in Mars Hill?

I first set foot in MH Ballard on the suggestion of my Dad, who had heard good things. I happened to be working at the Anthony’s in Fishermen’s Terminal and would race over, catch the 11:00 and get back just for the lunch rush. I was hooked on my first visit.

How did God lead you into playing music?

Like I said above, I was involved in music professionally for years, and had it in the back of my mind that God would use me differently (a little history: I was raised a Christian but left the faith when I discovered guitars. God said that wasn’t how He planned it, so he made me play guitar for Him), and behold He turned it all around as only He can. I was a real piece of work. Now, I truly believe that God loves the Blues and wants me to show people that it’s an acceptable and vibrant form of worship music. Plus, I know He invented the Boogie. Therefore, We Shall Boogie.

What’s a favorite section of text from the Bible?

Isaiah 55:6-13. I feel like He was and is talking directly to me. I also love it as a magnificent piece of poetry that shows God’s redeeming, creative power that always meets His purpose and forms a perfect circle. God is such a breathtaking and breathgiving artist.

Any favorite quotations?

Oh man, I should probably have something powerful and impressive memorized for these occasions, but all I can come up with are quotes from “Airplane!”

What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health” for the Deacon process.

What was the last movie you really enjoyed?

Ok, not a great movie in cinematic terms, but I cried my eyes out watching “Fireproof” with my girlfriend. It’s Christian movie about marriage. Otherwise, it would have to be “Venga”, a gypsy movie that Armstrong showed me that is packed with killer Flamenco dancing and music. Plus, it had subtitles so that makes me cool.

Your current favorite music/artist/albums?

My current favorite artists are usually my consistent favorite artists, like Curtis Mayfield, early Buddy Guy, any Jazz organ record from the early 60’s and probably some Texas classic like Lightnin’ Hopkins. You know, the list could really turn into something ridiculous if you let me.