Praise Him!  By God’s good grace and the sacrifice of some amazing MHWS volunteers, Jesus was the focus at this summer’s Vacation Bible School (VBS).  It would not be feasible to share all of the ways that God was present with us.  In order to do my due diligence though, I would like to share a glimpse of what the Holy Spirit accomplished through VBS 2009.

The theme of this year’s VBS was Upward Bound, which was all about the story of Jesus’ journey to earth to seek and save the lost.  The kids learned about His life, death, resurrection and ultimate defeat over our adversary, Satan.  On average we had 60 kids who were able to hear the Gospel through the art of storytelling.

The 60 kids in attendance had ages ranging from 3 years to 9 years old.  I am uncertain if the weight of trying to safely shepherd these kids with the varying ages, developmental skills and abilities can fully set in!  And yet, it was not on our own strength that we were able to care for these little ones and point them to Jesus, rather it was by God’s grace as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:10.

Our adventures included the snack stop, which was always the place to be.  Activities that amazingly enough integrated everything from “duck, duck, goose” to a good old-fashioned tussle!  Crafts were also a hit, as they were not merely fun, but Christ-focused.

Indeed we had a very safe, fun, and Jesus-focused week, which is what we prayed for.  I am very thankful for the outcome of VBS 2009 and how it concluded (this is not to say that I am not already thinking about and looking toward VBS 2010)!  And although this explanation could go further about what all we did and accomplished, I desire that we would not be self-focused with regards to this awesome experience.  Rather that we look to the author of our VBS experience by wrapping up this note in the spirit of Paul as he stated in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”  Praise be to our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

For additional pictures, view the slide show below, or click here.

What can be said for the 80’s Masquerade Bowling Bash at West Seattle Bowl? Well a few words come to mind, “Outrageous”, “Tubular” and even “Gnarly”. Yes, those would encapsulate the evening perfectly. I know that the youth had such a great time that many of them have come to the belief that the 80’s were the best decade ever, true story! Either way, I can honestly state that I believe that God was glorified and we shared in the joy through our fellowship last Friday night.

I have an amazing vantage point with the responsibility of having oversight over the youth department in MHC|WS. I am able to see from this standpoint that through the simple act of bowling, in 80’s garb no less, that we as the Westside campus youth group had an opportunity to evangelize. As we take these God-given opportunities to enjoy one another, having fun and talking about God through the avenue of our church and its roots in our West Seattle community. We, that is all Christians, young and old, must be prepared to give an account for our faith, as Peter mentions in 1 Peter 3:15; and in so doing pray that God would use our response to further the gospel, whether in the near future or further down the road. The bottom line is: God initiates opportunities and we must be prepared to respond, as He would direct. All in all, God definitely showed up at the 80’s Bowling Bash last night, simply in the form of 80’s rock band t-shirts, side-hair ponytails and hot pink leg warmers.

As we get closer and closer to the 80’s masquerade Bowling Bash for the youth group @ MHC|WS, slated for this coming Friday night, I have increasingly been asked cutting questions, even deep questions like:

• “What should I wear?”
• “Did they wear jeans in the 80’s?”
• “Will the costume prizes be worth it because after looking at the different 80’s clothing options, I don’t know if it’s worth having to dress like that!”

Ah yes, the eighties, who can forget them? Yet a few great things did come from the eighties. Like the love for holey jeans, phrases like “that’s bad” while bad oddly meant “good,” and don’t forget my personal favorite: the A-team! No matter your particular view of the eighties, I want to encourage all of the youth (and let’s be honest, they probably don’t really even remember the eighties) to come out and join us this Friday at West Seattle Bowl from 7p-10p. Cost is only $10, which includes games, shoes, drinks and of course, candy. There will be prizes for the top 3 best dressed and an amazing time with friends, new and old!

For further questions or to RSVP simply email westseattleyouth@marshillchurch.org or call 206.816.3734.

It is hard to believe that we are already at the half way point in the month of August! In light of this fact, it’s pretty amazing what God has allowed us to accomplish as a church body on the Tuesday’s in August thus far. It might not seem like anything special that we have sponsored various events open to all the community, yet let me take a brief moment to recap. On Tuesday the 5th, when we had the summer kick-off BBQ at MHC|WS, we had a little over 250 people, with just under two dozen of those individuals being new to MHC|WS. From the dunk tank to karaoke or even having DJ Sandman live, we were able to make an amazing, fun, attractional Christ-focused impression on our community. On the following Tuesday at Party in the Park, we had around 150 people who came out to have great barbequed food, gospel fellowship and fun competitions. At the BBQ there were just over a dozen individuals that had not been to MHC prior. Also I don’t think it is too boastful to mention that my team, the “11:15am young guns” schooled the “9am old faithfuls”. Regardless, the bottom line was that we were able to glorify the Lord by simply fellowshipping together, having fun, eating great food and opening this event up to the community. As I wrap up this short note, I would encourage you all to sign up as soon as are able for next Tuesday’s “California Dinner and a Movie”. Mars Hill Youth has sponsored the movie at the Admiral Theater, which will be The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. It should be another successful event, there is no cost to view the movie, simply sign up via the city or at MHC|WS this Sunday in the commons. I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!

When thinking of summer camp, what comes to mind?  I am certain whether you are trying to remember back to your last camp experience or if your memory is fresh because you just returned from summer camp that a few things come to mind.  Most likely the thoughts of going to bed late, getting up early, several action packed days or even meeting new people!   Rarely do we spend time thinking about the return process, having to pack up and head home back to reality.  Having to say goodbye to old friends, new friends and even leaders that you might miss.  Probably similar to you, I rarely think past the action packed fun camps are seemingly all about.  Maybe only because camp is fresh in my mind am I thinking more about the finer points that we normally forget so quickly, yet yield lasting godly fruit.  One of those “finer points” I wanted to focus on is our individual call to live according to the knowledge we know and will one day be accountable for. 

Pastor Bill Clem came with us and talked a great deal about what our identity, worship, fellowship and even what our personal mission should look like, on an individual level.  All too often we have the mind set, “I attend church, the church is doing something good, thus guilty by association, I believe that I am doing something good by simply attending on Sunday!”  We have no sense of urgency.  No sense that our days our numbered, that we were put on this planet for a specific purpose, that we deserve nothing and yet God in His infinite grace and mercy has allowed us to come into existence, serve Him and experience Him from the human viewpoint.  We not only have the right, but the responsibility to steward ourselves well.  We must be in relentless pursuit of Jesus Christ and His purpose for us, because if we are not moving forward in that, we are certainly moving backwards.

As I recall, most of the students, student leaders and adult leaders felt a since of urgency concerning what our lives should look like now that Jesus has redeemed them.  And how unselfish we must attempt to be with this precious, short life.  That being said, as adults we must help engage and motivate our youth, neighbors, co-workers, family and friends toward the so appealing relationship with Jesus Christ.  Simply put we must be conductors or springboards for whoever God might allow to cross our path that we are to somehow, by God’s grace, contribute to their life on God’s behalf.  My challenge to us (myself most definitely included), in your next allotted time alone with God, ask Him to give you a new passion, a new heart for what He has already called you to, but maybe we are not on the same page as Him yet.  See if He wont give you that “camp” high solely for Him, we know His Word will not return void, we simply have responsibility in that process, to do our part in making that come to fruition.

Well, here we are, its already that time. The time when Seattle is arguably the most beautiful place! I say that whole-heartedly I love this city, especially the Westside. We have Alki, a view of snow-capped mountains, Easy Street Records serving us the “Johnny Cash” special and MHC West Seattle Campus! What more could one ask for? I still remember when Sarah and I were asked to transition over to the Westside to head up the youth department, from attending in Ballard. Needless to say we were uncertain, but as always God knows the big picture. We have been here about a year now and have loved every moment of it. It is truly amazing how God can ignite the passion he has put in us, no matter our age, race, gender or income. He has designed us so perfectly that when we are in tune with His desires and being Spirit led, it seems nothing can stop us. I just wanted to take a moment and hit on this, and how imperative it is we – from young to old, scrapping by to well off or even introverted to extraverted – truly seek God and ask Him for direction in the life that he has given us and what that purpose looks like.

The other night, during Proxy, we nailed it. That being in relationship with Jesus Christ is not merely salvation at the end of our physical days, yet salvation is being completely and utterly satisfied with Him! As Dr. John Piper so perfectly sums up, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him”. I drove this point home with the high school students because how many times walking through the halls of school or in the classroom we felt unsatisfied with our attire, appearance or even abilities, which are all God given. We seem to be unsatisfied with what God had given us, maybe some of us feel that same way even now! Whether we are adolescents or adults, we must think outside the “box” of life that we are trying to get by in, refocus and even recalibrate our motives for doing or acting in the manner that we do! Why is it you do what you do, why get up early in the morning, why eat three square meals a day, why go to work. Bottom line: WHY? Is this so you can get ahead financially, stay physically fit, be mentally acute? Do we really live as if the very breath in our lungs at this moment is God given, Jesus redeemed and Spirit led? If we answer honestly, we would probably say “no” or “I have room to grow. If we fall into one of the two categories, we are much like Ecclesiastes 2:26. Even as I write now, I am reminded of Ephesians 3:14-19 where Paul states he is in hope, (a *biblical hope) for his fellow brothers and sisters – that is you and me also – to come to a true realization of the Glory of God!! If we only knew a portion of the Glory of God, we would be immensely changed forever, yet how short term our memories truly are, we have “mountain top” experiences, then after time the reality of the Creator of the Universe slips our mind.

My hope is to use this platform as an opportunity to nail down the importance of not only our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as He truly is the Author and Perfector of our faith, yet as well as significance of youth in the church, and specifically in the West Seattle Campus.  We whole-heartedly agree with Proverbs 22:6 which shows very simply – yet clearly – how to a raise a godly child.  As the youth department on the Westside continues to gain traction and grow by His grace, I want to reinforce that Proxy/Crux are not the parents or even legal guardians of the youth, yet we are to supplement the teaching, modeling, loving and faithfulness instilled into each youth God entrusts us with.  I say all of this because, I pray daily for the youth, parents and counterparts of each individual correlated within West Seattle, as it is ultimately up to Jesus and the moving of the Holy Spirit to allow us unity with Him.  As we walk through this process, we are constantly looking for available hearts and hands to partner with the Westside youth department.  I would encourage those of you who might fit into this category to prayerfully consider what that partnership may look like.  It could be helping out with your time, prayers, finances or even resources.  As always, there is a lot of work that needs to be done and few laborers to participate.  We are diligently attempting to reach this community, yet to do so successfully we must team together.  If youth doesn’t seem to be the correct fit, simply seek out other areas of opportunity where you could be a tremendous help by checking out the link labeled “start serving” and be the difference you were created to be!

As I conclude this simple note, I would pray, ask and even request that we as followers of Jesus Christ, attendees of the Westside campus and eventually by God’s grace members of Mars Hill Church West Seattle not only attempt a fulfilling life, but attempt even now a relentless pursuit of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit for God’s glory and our Joy which we do not deserve in the slightest.

*[Not a modern since of hope, “I hope I get home in time for the season finale of Lost”. If you are unaware of any difference of our modern day meaning of hope and the biblical meaning of hope, I strongly recommend doing a word search study on biblical hope and its godly implications]