It was an incredible experience to be out in Beijing for the Olympic Games and cheer on my sister-in-law Brooke.  It was the first time that I have been out at any Olympics and there is something special about rooting on your country with other countrymen in a communist country like China. You sense a real camaraderie and kinship with the few other Americans that are out there.  And we did achieve kinship with the Chinese at the men’s indoor volleyball game when we were able to get the Chinese fans to do “The Wave”! However, this was nothing compared to the camaraderie that was woven together in a short time with some of the Christian brothers that we were able to meet and spend time with.

We were fortunate to attend church on Sunday morning and being able to worship together, as we sang “My Jesus, I Love Thee” and although everyone was singing in Chinese and we were singing in English it was one of the most powerful moments to praise Jesus together with our brothers and sisters in China.
Though we were identified with the USA in China, our true identity is in Jesus Christ and the second day we got back from Beijing, it was a complete blessing to see 6 Mars Hill Downtown folks identify themselves with Jesus through the waters of baptism in Lake Washington!  It was very cool to hear the stories of transformation of these 6 people and how Jesus has done a huge work in their life.  It is so encouraging to see first-hand that God is working in our midst and to see his hand so up-close like that.  As Summer comes to a close and we look forward to what God will do in the Fall with a new series, new service times, and new community groups, be in prayer for Mars Hill Downtown that God will continue to his amazing works in and among us.  We will be posting video soon of the baptisms so that you can hear for yourself these stories.

New Service Times Begin September 21: 9AM – 11:15AM – 6PM