Last nights BBQ was a lot of fun. Apart from the Australian grease fire, with the potential to burn down the whole U-District, things went great for our first ever BBQ at UW. We had just the right amount of food, with around 100 students showing up for the free grub. The official rule for Facebook events is to double whatever the confirmed guest list number is. I think I’m going to do a dissertation on Facebook, look for it stores near you.

Last night was the last event of the quarter, Mars Hill on the Ave. will resume on Weds. April 2nd. Check with your community group leaders to see if you will be meeting next week or not.

Hope everyone makes it through exam week, and has an awesome Spring Break! Remember don’t drink the water in Mexico…

1. First things first: how and when did you become a Christian?

I became a Christian this past summer. It was late June and I was taking my girlfriend to the airport where she was leaving for a 2 month mission trip to Ethiopia. Before she left she gave me a bible. Looking back on it that was probably the best gift I have ever recieved. Within the next couple days I was addicted to reading it and read it as much as I could, every chance I could. I gave my life to Christ about a month later, when God really humbled me and I realized how jacked up I was.

2. What do you hope God does in and with your group?

The forum started as a way for guys in my fraternity to get together and talk about God. It is really cool to see this because there are only 3 guys (myself included) that have a personal relationship with Jesus, and about 7 guys that have really diverse faiths, whether it be non-practicing Jews, atheists, agnostics, or guys that grew up in a Christian home but don’t really have a faith of their own. With this kind of group I really hope that we can show these guys what it means to love God with our thoughts and actions. All that we can do as Christians is to live and preach the gospel to these guys, pray for them and leave the rest up to God.

3. Who comes to your group what do you do when you meet?

When we meet I usually try and read some scripture at the very beginning, so these guys can be exposed to the word. We will look into the passage, and I ask them some questions, then without fail the conversation takes off and we talk about anything and everything that relates to faith and God. We actually haven’t studied that much scripture yet, we are still working on why to believe the bible, the historical accuracy of scripture, how to develop faith, and the basics of Christianity. We are still learning how to walk and trying develop a solid foundation that will lead us into really analyzing scripture.

4. What would you say to someone who doesn’t think they are ready to start a group in their fraternity or sorority?

It can be daunting to start and lead a group for sure, but God makes it possible! I started leading this group not even knowing what a community group was, I had been a Christian for maybe 3 or 4 months and I really had no clue what I was doing. I would say if you want to start a group in your fraternity or sorority you should give it a try. Greek houses are a great place to start, you already know your group really well, it builds friendships in your house, and it is really good for your own faith. It really makes you think hard about why you are a Christian when you get asked some really tough questions that you don’t even know the answer to. It proved invaluable for me to have a good mentor in discipleship, theology, and faith. There are some truly amazing guys in the college ministry that have gone through similar things, so the resources you need are there waiting.

5. Where and when are you meeting?

We usually meet Wednesday nights at around 10pm in our fraternity.

6. How can people get a hold of you if they want to start a group like yours?

You can get a hold of my via:
Email: stuarts@u.washington.edu
Phone: 2069095966
Facebook!!!

In light of finals coming up we are not having Mars Hill on the Ave this week.
We are going to grill out at the 17th Ave. house at 6:30 Wednesday night.
RSVP so we know how much food to get.  Be sure to invite any of your friends!

Time and Place
Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: 17th Ave House (17th and 50th Next to City Church)

Film and Theology
One of the things I am most excited about this spring is Film and Theology on the Ave.  We’ll watch a good movie and discuss how the Gospel flows with and clashes with different films.  We are working on getting a legit popcorn machine for these!  Let us know if you can hook it up.

Juno comes out on April 15th, so on April 16th we are going to watch this amazingly hilarious flick at Mars Hill on the Ave. at 8PM.

After seeing this movie with Amy, I knew we had to use this movie for Film and Theology.  I’m pushing for No Country for Old Men next but have a feeling that won’t fly.

BBQs
As it warms up we are going to be having some sweet BBQs instead of MH on the Ave.  Same day, different time and place.  Check back for more info soon.

Vintage Jesus Round 3 April 17th 9PM | Kane Hall
After 2 very successful events in the winter, we’ll be kicking off the spring Vintage Jesus series on April 17th.  Be sure to represent and bring your friends and questions.  Sign up and invite your friends to the Facebook event.

We are super stoked about what God is going to do as we head into the spring and look forward to the SUN!

After Pastor Mark ended his sermon last week recognizing the abundant grace of God in his life and in the life of Mars Hill Church, I feel compelled to praise Jesus for all he has done so far in the college ministry.

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…” (1Cor. 1:4)

When we launched the college ministry in October, I literally didn’t know a single college student at the University of Washington.  Not only has God graciously allowed me to quickly connect with tons of college students at Mars Hill and UW quickly, but he has led me to some of the most amazing students I have ever worked with.

A week after we launched I went from knowing no one to not having enough time to get to know everyone.  I try to connect with new students as quickly as possible, so I have like 2 lunch appointments a day! (Thus the need to get a gym membership).

By God’s grace:

Leaders
We have seen God raise up some absolutely amazing student leaders who are growing in their faith faster than I or anyone can keep up with.  Most of them have been Christians for less than a year!  My awesome wife is discipling about half a dozen girls towards leading missional community groups and knowing Jesus more.  And I am leading about a dozen men through missional living, Systematic Theology, and how to keep their…, well how to walk with Jesus on a daily basis, repenting of sin.

Community Groups
We have gone from having zero “College Community Groups” to having 10 started and at least four more leaders in the queue.  With 2 of those in Fraternities where almost everyone that comes doesn’t know Jesus yet!

Vintage Jesus
God has been amazing in bringing out almost 1000 people between the two Vintage Jesus lectures we have had so far.  With hardly any promo, leveraging good old Facebook, we have been greatly encouraged.  In the last event we took in 100 questions via text message, so students definitely have some questions about Jesus!  Sign up for the Round three in April on Facebook.

Song of Solomon
As we start to look to next fall’s Song of Solomon series, my wife and I get the chance to take some students through the material this Spring, so that we can launch some “Relationship” community groups during the series in the fall.  One of the awesome things God has done so far has been to get some great college dating, engaged, and married couples involved in the ministry.

We will be taking seven or eight couples through this awesome book of the Bible this spring with the hope that some of them will lead other groups in the fall.  Please pray for this group; Amy and I were greatly transformed by this book in college and we hope God will use it in the lives of these couples.  If you’re in college and interested in this, email college@marshillchurch.org.

Me
God has taught me more over these last few months than I ever imagined he could.  Meaning he’s also teaching me I don’t know much!  Most of all he’s teaching me to trust him, and that he is faithful when he calls me to do something.  Jesus has been so faithful.

Gospel
Most of all I am thankful for Jesus and his Gospel, because every bit of grace comes from his life lived on my behalf, his death in my place, and his resurrection for my new life. My only response to him can be my life lived as worship, trying to see as many people as possible experience the grace he has poured out on me, through the transforming power of the Gospel.