Buster Poindexter has nothing on Mars Hill Church. Sitting on the carpeted floor of the auditorium not yet ready to dispense needed Air Conditioning, the Wedgwood Core cheered and sang as we christened the space with prayer and dedication as a Mars Hill Church Campus. Sweet Top Pot Donuts and strong Zoka Coffee helped distract from the intense summer heat.

For the first half-hour, people freely wandered the halls investigating spaces that would soon be the Wedgwood Commons, Kid’s Ministry, Volunteer “War Room”, Bookstore, Green Room, a brand new kitchen, and of course the auditorium. Air Conditioning is slated to be put in before next spring, but as summer is still with us the auditorium was like an oven. Pastor James amended his original, fire-and-brimstone sermon since the room already felt like a foretaste of the eternal sauna.

Focusing on our mission to Wedgwood, Pastor James announced the dates for the three “launches” that will mark the campuses three-tiered beginning: a soft launch, an internal service launch, and our public launch. Working backward, the public launch to the local community is set for January 6 (with a community event likely on Christmas Eve). Regular services, however, WILL be commencing on November 11 (service times to be announced mid-October) and everyone is invited. Using technology, the campus will stay in step with our cross-campus teaching and Pastor Mark Driscoll’s teaching most weeks. Pastor James will preach live on the weeks when Pastor Mark is out of the pulpit.

Core members and attendees who really want to make Wedgwood their home will be meeting earlier, however, to dial in the space and work out the kinks; to get the inside track, be part of the Campus team soft launch, and receive the date to join us for “secret squirrel services” email wedgwood@marshillchurch.org.

Ballard Pastors Bubba, Paul, Dave and Tim prayed over the newly formed Wedgwood team (to see the team, visit our Pastors and Staff page). Pastor Tim Reber, Deacon Andrew Pack and the rest of the team will be continuing needed prep work while Pastor James joins Shoreline Campus Pastor Steve Tompkins on a trip to Israel with some other Mars Hill staff and about 30 members. They will return September 13, but James intends to post regularly to the Wedgwood Campus page as they follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

“God has been extremely gracious to teach me during traveling and Sabbath,” James notes. “When I went to Nepal, I returned with a profound appreciation for the time and place God has put me. a place with easy access to His Scriptures, freedom to worship and talk about Jesus, and so many luxuries the food on our table, the running water incredible blessings we foolishly take for granted or feel entitled to. It helped me mature as a Christian. Walking in the Apostle Paul’s footsteps through Greece last year, it renewed my energy and excitement for mission and evangelism. This year, in Jerusalem, I’m praying that it will be more than simply seeing where Jesus walked. I pray He makes me a better pastor who will love my wife even more like Jesus, love the people of our city even more like Jesus, and love those God brings to our Campus with a heart like Jesus.”

Keep your eyes on the Wedgwood Campus page the next few weeks for images and video of Israel, more news about our launch, and more about the other men and women God is using to make our latest Campus an exciting reality.