about my church

My story has been richly enhanced but that of the Mars Hill Bible Church Community
Our community is currently going through some changes, and I have been wrestling through the emotions that occur whenever things like this happen in important areas of our lives. Twice in the last few weeks I have come to tears while thinking about how my Church has impacted my life.
It is within this eccentric tribe, that I have seen love, experienced grace and been challenged beyond words:

This is where I learned what Discipleship looks like
Where I've seen BIG-time generosity
It is here that I have been taught to ask questions and be curious
This is where I fell in the love with the Biblical text and was given a yearning for learning more.
I went to Mars Hill Students the night I learned that my dad was leaving.
This is where I learned that suffering, pain and grief are just as valuable emotions as joy
These are the people that stand and sing next to me when I cannot find my voice
I was invited into Elohim-Echad and Chutzpah
This is where I have been able to serve in Preschool Pier for over 7 years
I have been encouraged to explore the important, sacred rhythms in life
I was baptized here in 2003
I was invited in to the lives of the Powell's and Berryhill's
This is where I went to Al-Anon
This is where redemption work and the Kingdom of God was taught
I was taught that Love (will always) Win.
Where I have been encouraged to think about technology and faith
These are the teachings I listened to while away at college
This is where my appreciation for art, writing, science and music exploded
This is the community that remained constant for me when my family life was drastically changing
I was shown how to love refugees and was stretched while sharing my room with an African peer
I learned that how we care for the earth and each-other is deeply reflective of our relationship with Christ
This is where I have been taught about forgiveness and have been invited to join in the process
Everything is spiritual.
This is where I have been encouraged to expect the divine.
This is the community that continues to teach me about grace, peace and what these look like in real, raw life

This is where I have been truly introduced to a Lord who is alive, active and present in my daily life and is constantly challenging me to become more fully the girl he created me to be.
Thank you Mars Hill for being my people and my place of worship.