What is your role at MHC?

I serve as the Campus Executive in West Seattle which includes overseeing the campus staff, administration, and raising up leaders out of our Discipleship Training program.

Tell us about your family:

I’m married to an attractive brunette, Rachel Henrikson. We shepherd our two toddler girls, Janey and Kellie and we’re learning daily lessons about God, faith, grace, passion, & endurance through our marriage and parenting.

When did Jesus change your life?

Jesus opened my eyes and changed my heart in a profound way in 1992. He hasn’t stopped since.

How has your life changed since meeting Jesus?

Jesus continues to crush my idols of self-sufficiency, self-worship and foolish attempts to pursue life, control, security, and comfort outside of him. My teen years were marked with insecurity, hiding, and various searches for worth and identity—looking for it in music, sports, academics, & girls for an affirmation of being loved— all amounting to idols of self sufficiency and self-worship. Jesus crushed the lie that somehow following him is limiting and restrictive—Real freedom is not to live however we want, but rather to live boldly in Christ with purpose, vision, and mission defined by truth.

I confessed my sins of loving other gods, sex, materialism, & status rather than loving and following Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ( John 8:19). Jesus calls me to real, unashamed, free, and life in Him, melting my heart of rebellion and exposing my idols for what they really are—empty promises.

Instead of entertaining the phantom gods who lie and whisper, ‘ Find comfort in hate’, find comfort in food, ‘find life in your family’, find security in your performance’. I choose to walk in dependence upon Jesus. God is changing my heart.

He has great purpose. “Jesus came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). He has great vision. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) And His mission is worth dying for, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19.)

Tell us how you came to be at Mars Hill, as a visitor, member, and deacon:

We came to Mars Hill in 2006. Rachel and I were members of Doxa church, and upon the arrival of MH to West Seattle, Jesus called us to pursue membership in early 2006, I think it was around February. We met in Kenyon Hall during the MH building renovation for several weeks working through the membership process. We became members in July 2006, shortly there after, Jesus called me to a staff position and eventually deaconship during the fall and winter of 2006. I was serving as our facility manager in 2006 and Jesus has seen fit to call me to the welcome team, biblical living, campus administration, and leadership development since.

What is your biggest challenge in this ministry?

Seeing a glimpse of the overwhelming need day to day in our surrounding community and trusting Jesus will provide the laborers. Trusting Jesus is key because he’s bigger than it all and not placing to little or to much importance on my part.

What is your greatest joy while serving in this ministry?

Seeing Jesus again and again reveal his glory and demonstrate his love by — transforming men into real men who lead with passion, conviction, and actively love Jesus. Seeing Jesus fashion women to become real women trusting and hoping in God, finding their beauty defined by Christ. Seeing the church fulfill our calling: to be the pillar of truth.

Please share a favorite quotation:

Truth without grace crushes. Grace without truth rots. -Author unknown.

What books have fueled your thinking or challenged you in the last few years?

• Exodus
• Religion Saves and Nine Other Misconceptions by Pastor Mark Driscoll
• Redemption by Pastor Mike Wilkerson
• How People Change by Paul Tripp & Timothy Lane
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

What’s your favorite/preferred genre of music?

Blues/Gospel/Acappella

What’s your favorite Seattle-area eatery?

Red Robin

What’s your favorite scripture?

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Why?

I love this scripture because it reminds me of God’s divine power which destroys every lie and stronghold seeking to take root in my own heart and in my neighbor’s heart—Calling me to fight—-yes Christians fight—in my community for truth—for the gospel—for redemption—for authentic love.

Jesus calls me to be an active agent for truth, to crush the lies and distortions from the pit of hell in me and others,–with his power— defending God’s truth with diligence and active evaluation bringing thoughts before Christ—with his power. Our God is a God who gives away power. He gives away truth. He gives away Life. Freely gives. Freely advocates. This inspires me to become like him.