What is your role at MHC?

Community Groups Pastor

Tell us about your family:

I met my beautiful wife Hyun Ju in 1998 doing ministry on the East Side. It took God eight years of patient work before our eyes were opened and we realized we should start dating. Things moved rapidly after that and we were married just a few months later. We now have a 22 month old daughter, Madeline and a five month old son, Zack.

When did Jesus change your life?

In 1997 I was working in the software industry worshiping money, fame, sports, and comfort. Jesus met me there and revealed to me that ultimately those things were never going to satisfy but rather lead to despair and death. I realized that satisfaction would only be in God and Him alone.

How has your life changed since meeting Jesus?

Initially God revealed the ways I was walking independent of Him in outright rebellion and disobedience. I was proud, self righteous, selfish and lived for my personal edification. I desperately feared what others thought and lived my life trying to mask my insecurities with what I did and who hung with.

Today I live as a child of God who through Jesus knows his Heavenly Father. I get to worship Him for all that He has done, knowing that in Jesus I stand completely accepted. I can now choose to live in freedom rather than bondage in so many areas of my life. I am still growing as a disciple of Jesus and learning how to completely see His sufficiency in all areas of my life.

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

In 2004 I came to visit Mars Hill and I was struck by how the truth was being contextualized so well. At one of the first MH events I went to a former drug dealer spoke about how Mars Hill helped her to know Jesus and how that had changed her life. I wanted to be a part of a church that was focusing on those who were lost. I quickly became a member and started to lead a community group. Pastor Mike Wilkerson asked me to help coach and eventually as I became more involved it was suggested I consider becoming an Elder. After several months of prayer it became clear that God was calling me to pursue this. This process took close to 18 months of preparation, testing and trials; but eventually I was sworn in at the end of 2007.

What is your biggest challenge in this ministry?

Personally I am prone to pride and self-sufficiency and that can have an impact in everything including the Ministry Jesus has entrusted me with. The biggest challenge in this ministry for me is in finding ways to inspire and help men to live in the victory of Christ Jesus such that they know Him, worship Him, live in true community and are on mission for Him.

My heart is that men in West Seattle would really be transformed by the work of Jesus. Unfortunately, many men tend to be very passive, self sufficient, entitled, and blind to how lost they really are. God has been so faithful with me so I am convicted to see this community through the eyes of Jesus. I am thankful that He is still patiently at work on me.

What is your greatest joy while serving in this ministry?

Serving with my wife who shares the same passions for development of leaders, community and hospitality.

Please share a favorite quotation:

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” – Desiring God, John Piper

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

“Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem
“Insturments in the Redeemer’s Hands” by Paul David Tripp
“Total Church” by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
“Cross Centered Life” By C.J. Mahaney

What’s your favorite Seattle-area eatery?

Any hole in the wall ethnic restaurant owned by someone that was not born in America.

What’s your favorite scripture?

Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV
(1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Why?

The work of the cross continues to humble me and allow me to become less and less while Jesus becomes more and more.

Read Pastor Cliff’s other blog posts here.