John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

This winter marked the beginning of a new ministry at Mars Hill Church | West Seattle. 4th and 5th grade children were given the opportunity to participate in the very first midweek program designed especially for their age group.

With much prayer and anticipation we launched “45” with a plan to help parents equip to walk in the spirit and in truth.

In the midst of an economic downturn, we thought it appropriate to spend some time helping the children see what God has to say about the subject of compassion. Biblical compassion is something we all should experience as we seek to abide in Christ and walk closely with Him, and we showed the kids how Jesus exemplified this for us. Travis and Danielle Ness are the fearless leaders of “45” and they led the children on a journey through the life of Jesus from Luke 10, and the parable of the Good Samaritan; to the way Jesus showed compassion of the woman at the well in John 4.

James tells us in James 1:22 to “…be doers of the word, and not hearers only…”, so in that spirit the “45”, students planned and executed the first annual “45 Food Drive” to benefit the Regina House food and clothing bank in Southpark. Over the 8 week program the children collected over 500 pounds of food, not to mention the clothing donations and money that was donated.

The children learned what it really looks like to be Jesus to the community, not out of a false sense of piety or a desire to earn favor with God; but rather out of a regenerated heart that seeks to worship God in spirit and in truth.