Have you ever thought about getting involved with music in Mars Hill Church? Are you looking for a way to use the musical gifts God has given you for His glory?

Most people do not realize the amount of preparation, planning, and committed members that are needed to help run services on Sunday.

As God continues to bless and grow our community in West Seattle, and as we prepare to help launch a new Mars Hill campus in Federal Way, we have an even greater need for our body to step up and worship Him through serving. If He has given you musical gifts or technical abilities, there are numerous avenues that those can be used to serve and bless the body.

Now more than ever we are praying that God would raise up servants who desire to glorify God with their time and talents. If you feel called to serve in any of these areas or have an interest in learning more about these service opportunities then come to the Making The Band meeting on Monday, May 4th in The Paradox at Mars Hill’s Ballard campus.

This meeting will NOT be an audition, but will be an informational meeting to detail the type of people we’re looking to have serve and to give you the chance to meet and talk with campus leaders about these opportunities.

James Armstrong

1. What is your current role at Mars Hill West Seattle?

I have been involved in some manner in Redemption Ministry at Mars Hill since Jesus dragged me out of absolute worldly enslavement to sexual pursuits. Currently I’m co-leading a Redemption group. In the Brothers of the Empty Tomb I’m responsible for orchestrating the relationship between band and congregation toward Jesus.

2. Tell us about yourself – job/family?

Before Jesus grabbed me, I never thought myself capable of getting married. And there is no way the almost 40 year old child I was could be a daddy. When Jesus transformed my heart and told me what a husband and father were in His Kingdom, I felt capable through Him. I have been married to my beautiful Heather for almost 3 years and we are raising our 16 month old daughter Sevilla.

I have been in the construction industry for going on 20 years and have several businesses that have a territory throughout the Puget Sound.

3. When did you become a Christian?

I was raised Catholic and ran from God (or so I thought) in my late teens. Twenty years later my non-believing girlfriend, who was sick of dating a 40 year old boy, brought me to Mars Hill to learn to be a man from Mark Driscoll. She dumped me a week later. In God’s perfect timing, He put my sin right in my face. I had tremendous regret. It was in this regret, that Jesus made me realize my greatest regret of all would be to not know my Creator, eternally. It was a very painful time; like I fell in a very dark pit. But Jesus was with me.

4. Where are you from & how did you end up in West Seattle?

As a third generation Californian, my family escaped to Sequim in the early ‘80’s where I went to High School and I moved to Seattle in 1988. I now live in Seatac, Mark Driscoll’s old backyard.

5. When did you first set foot in Mars Hill?

Late 2004 (Pre-campus Ballard). The weekend immediately after John Piper had visited Mars Hill to lead a conference. Lord, couldn’t it have been one week earlier???

6. How did God lead you into playing music?

Unavoidable. My grandfather was a composer, my grandmother a classical pianist, my mother, a music major. My three other siblings and I as kids used to sing four part harmony in the car to “The Carpenters” and “John Denver” tunes. My brother is currently a composer in New York. Music was a constant in my childhood. Before knowing Christ I sang for my glory and it frustrated me but I didn’t know why. When Jesus revealed Himself to me, singing made sense. I love singing to God.

7. What is a favorite section of text from the Bible?

1 Corinthians 13 was crucial to my conversion. I had no idea what godly love was. However, I love verses like Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandment, for this is the whole duty of man.” Beautiful!!! It puts man in rightful worship and can our instruction be any clearer??? (I’m a dude)

8. Any favorite quotations?

“You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.” – Stan Laurel of ‘Laurel and Hardy’

9. What was the last book you read?

I recently finished Practical Prayer by Derek Prime and I’m well in to a biography of Puritan John Owen, Prince of Puritans by Andrew Thomson. I’m about to go on vacation and I’m going to dissect Prime’s book and break it down in outline form so that I don’t miss anything. Sometimes I feel my prayers are flat and self serving.

10. What was the last movie you really enjoyed?

“Central Station” Plot? Redemption of course!

11. Your current favorite music/artist/albums?

Brazilian Artists: Milton Nascimento, Seu Jorge, Curumin, Djavan. Soul Artists: Isley Brothers, Four Tops, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Harold Melvin, Gladys Knight. Currently, Jennifer Hudson has got the lungs- very true ‘old school’ voice. But I don’t listen to much new stuff.

Lance Moore

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

I am the band leader of Ashborne, and I am also going through the Deacon process.

Tell us about yourself – job/family?

When I am not jamming away with my band, I am at work as an account manager for Whirlpool Corporation. I came to Seattle solo, and all of my family lives in Tennessee.

When did you become a Christian?

I grew up in a Christian household, but I didn’t become a Christian until the age of 8.

Where are you from & how did you end up in West Seattle?

I am originally from Memphis, Tennessee. I went to college there, and immediately took a job in Michigan after graduation. After working in Michigan for 4 1/2 years, my company moved me to Seattle, where I have lived for a year and a half. Loving it!

When did you first set foot in Mars Hill?

My first Sunday at Mars Hill was last April (2007) on Easter Sunday at the West Seattle campus. I wasn’t aware of it at the time, but MH – West Seattle had just launched that prior Sunday. I came back again and again, and I have been at Mars Hill ever since.

How did God lead you into playing music?

Music has always been a huge part of my life and a huge passion of mine. I was in the orchestra & band throughout elementary/middle/high school, and joined the Gospel Choir when I got to college (because I could not join the band and follow my course of study at college by rule). God used my time in the gospel choir to make His plans known to me and shape my heart to worship Him through song. I began instructing the choir there and became the director. Upon graduation, I moved to Michigan where I eventually would join staff at a church there as the worship director… It was in this position that God would develop my love for worshipping him even further. The rest is history.

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

A favorite section of scripture for me would be Psalm 91 – “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust…”

Any favorite quotations?

Hmm can’t think of any right now. I’m sure I’ll rattle off a few if you get me talking….

What was the last book you read?

“Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” by Paul David Tripp

What was the last movie you really enjoyed?

The last movie that I really enjoyed was an indie film shot here in town called “Battle in Seattle”. It was a really good movie, based on real events that took place in Seattle back in November 1999 surrounding an anti-WTO protest gone wrong.

Your current favorite music/artist/albums?

Coldplay, The Afters, The Killers, Linkin Park, The Magic Numbers, The Strokes….

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.

Brian Ward

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

I lead the band Loma and am currently the point person for all things music-related here at MH West Seattle.

Tell us about yourself – job/family?

I’ve been a web developer for over ten years working for a company in Redmond. Teresa and I met in West Seattle while attending Doxa Church (which later merged with MH to form the West Seattle campus). We’ve been married for three years and are expecting a baby boy this December. I’m thrilled as I will finally have someone to play Legos with.

When did you become a Christian?

I was fortunate to meet Jesus at a young age and understood early on that I was a screwed-up sinner that needed his grace to make sense of this broken world. However, during many of my high school and college years I pushed God to the curb believing I could come up with a better plan for my life than what he wanted for me. God continued to pursue me through my pride and sin until I finally reached the end of myself, broken and hurting, asking God to forgive me and repenting for the ways I hurt him and those around me. God has grown me significantly since then as I’ve learned to trust him to make sense of this life and strive to share this hope and joy with all those who also broken and hurting.

Where are you from & how did you end up in West Seattle?

I grew up in Woodinville, attended Western Washington University, moved back to Seattle after graduation and ultimately found myself leading music at a church on the eastside. I then got a call in 2003 from a friend attending Doxa Church in West Seattle asking if I could come lead music for a couple weeks while they searched for a new music pastor. During the first month there God made it clear that he wanted me to continue serving at Doxa, which then lead to me meeting Teresa, getting married, and making the decision to call WS home.

When did you first set foot in Mars Hill?

I visited MH once many years ago when it met down in the U-District. I found it to very strange, yet intriguing, to see how God was using this funky little church to share Jesus with a bunch of crazy punk kids from Seattle. Needless to say, I was quite surprised to then see all that God had been doing in and through this funky little church when Doxa and Mars Hill joined forces in 2006. God has used the two years since to challenge and grow me towards Jesus like never before. I pray that he will continue to use this crazy punk kid to continue to share the hope of Jesus with our community and all of Seattle in the coming years.

How did God lead you into playing music?

My mother would say my music career started with karaoke versions of Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” being sung into a turkey baster at age 4, though I tend to dismiss these “early years” as having any great influence on my musical growth (though some might disagree).

For years I dreamed about being a musician and playing in a band. I started to learn the guitar around the same time I discovered a variety of local and underground music. I spent most of my free time going to all-ages concerts to watch other young kids in a garage play their instruments WAY too loud for an audience of twelve. The experience was inspiring and intoxicating, and God started to show me both the power of music and ultimately how he desired for me to worship him. The phrase “joyful noise” in Psalm 66 finally made sense to me.

I then spent about 8 years playing in various bands in college and around Seattle as I wrestled with God for control of my life and for control of my music as a source of meaning and identity. Thankfully God allowed for this idol to be torn down and rebuilt as a tool for me to then use to serve and celebrate the work that Jesus continues to do in my life.

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

Jeremiah 29:11

What was the last movie you really enjoyed?

I just saw The Prestige for the first time two weeks ago and it blew my mind. I’ve always loved Christopher Nolan’s movies, with Memento as an all-time favorite, but I think The Prestige just knocked it off the list. It’s one of those movies that you can’t help but think about for days afterward as you try to make sense of every little detail.

Your current favorite music/artist/albums?

Jason Faulkner – an amazing songwriter/musician from LA in the vein of McCartney/Elvis Costello

Fleet Foxes – a great local band that’s getting a ton of well-deserved national attention right now.

Grizzly Bear – a hypnotic pop/folk/experimental 4-piece from Brooklyn. Their albums might take a couple listens to appreciate, but once they get in your head they never leave.

Where does the name come from?
Ashborne’s name is inspired by the passage in Luke chapter 3 where John the Baptist states that Jesus will come baptizing “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” In Jesus, we are saved; we die to sin and are reborn, baptized in the fire of the Holy Spirit.

How did you get here?
Before I moved to Seattle I lived in Michigan and was a worship leader with my church there. My job relocated me to Seattle last year and I visited the West Seattle campus on Easter of ’07 (my first Sunday in town), which was MH’s second Sunday in the WS building. I felt called to get connected and serve.
That next week, I talked to Pastor Lief in Ballard who got me connected to Joel Brown, who is the music director for Mars Hill. I had an audition in May, found the rest of my band at Making the Band in August, and here we are now.

What are your musical influences?
We have influences all over the rock spectrum. I personally try to listen to a lot of alt-rock-with-piano bands, such as Coldplay, Keane, or The Fray, to get ideas, but we all study cross-discipline and try to bring those elements into our sound. For this reason, I classify our sound as Eclectic Rock; we all bring something very different to the band.
Also, all of us have been worship band leaders before, so for us, it’s not a show, but another opportunity for us to worship & pour our hearts out to God.

What is the vision for Ashborne?
This is the third campus we’ve played at. We are all very stoked to be playing at West Seattle; it has been awesome so far, and we have been so well received here. As we keep playing together as a band, we are looking for opportunities to sound more sophisticated while at the same time looking for ways to simplify things, if that makes any sense. …All to the glorifying of Jesus.

Who is Ashborne?
Lance Moore – Lead, keys
Jackson Rohrbaugh – Guitar, vocals
Yugo Sato – Drums
Chris Landry – Keys, vocals
Steve Ross – Bass

Can we hear some of your music?

Right click on the song title then hit “save target as…” to download.

Psalm 25

Emphasis

Down at the Cross

For more on why Mars Hill does bands the way we do, check out this post on the Doxologist blog.