This is one in a series about the West Seattle Campus Discipleship Training Program highlighting a DTP ministry and introducing its participants to the Body of Christ at Mars Hill Church West Seattle. The purpose of the DTP is to identify, develop and train called and biblically qualified followers of Jesus to lead the mission of our “city” within the city. These are leaders who are committed to walking in community together in order to be prepared, equipped and propelled to fulfill God’s calling on their lives.

MHC|WS Community Groups Pastor Cliff Low is sponsoring and mentoring three men who have committed to the year-long program described above. They will be helping to build the community group department as well as leading groups. John Lindow, Paul Parker, and Craig Sturm have joined the DTP this fall to help build the capacity of the community as we continue to center ourselves on the Gospel.

John Lindow is a student at Fuller Seminary who will be working on a 9 month internship with Pastor Cliff. He and his family currently live in West Seattle in Arbor Heights. He will be starting up a group in Arbor Heights where he already is on mission in his neighborhood. He will also be involved in starting up another group that will likely start in November meeting on Sunday nights and targeting families that can’t meet on weeknights. John is gifted relationally and has an incredibly friendly disposition. Pastor Cliff looks forward to working with him, as John always brings a positive attitude to meetings.

Paul Parker has been serving in Productions and has transferred his internship to Community Groups. He is heading up Assimilation and will be revamping things to be more integrated with other groups. He is praying about starting up a new group in an area where there is no community group. He will also be helping to find ways to support the women’s groups as they solve problems such as finding host homes and child care. Lastly, he will be helping Pastor Cliff as he leads and administrates all the community groups. Pastor Cliff looks forward to working with him, noting that Paul brings energy and passion to the team.

Craig Sturm and his wife Kathy moved to Seattle to be part of Mars Hill. He has chosen West Seattle as his campus and community groups as ministry of focus. He is part of Re:Train and DTP. Craig brings 20+ years experience as a pastor lastly serving at John Piper’s church. Craig will be helping us solve some of our strategic issues with those who are not in community, those who are experiencing barriers to community and those who are not remaining in community. He will also be starting up a group that will be the first in Tukwila/Renton. Pastor Cliff is humbled to be working with Craig as he will be helping expand our ability to love people in our existing communities as well as developing new areas.

Please join us in prayer for these men and their families, for sponsor Cliff Low, and for the Community Groups ministry. If you are interested in getting plugged into a community, check out the Community Groups page.

Find out more about the Discipleship Training Program HERE, and watch this space as the series continues, introducing you to more DTP participants.