Mars Hill Olympia | Olympia, WA

• Steven Mulkey
• Jan 21, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I was leading the music at Mars Hill Lake City and going through the Elder Process when Pastor Mark gave a call for 900 men to plant churches. My wife and I both independently felt led by God plant a campus for Mars Hill Church. 2 weeks later Pastor Tim Smith talked to me about taking over the mission at Mars Hill Olympia. 3 months after that I finished the Elder process and came on staff as the campus pastor for Mars Hill Olympia. In July of 2009 we moved down to Olympia.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage?

I came on staff after the core of Mars Hill Olympia had been developed. Keeping a core in place required lots of relational time and constant communication with core members. It also required a clear vision for the campus in the short and long term and a plan on how to get their. I found that tasking the right people with the right task was really important.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

The largest challenge I have faced is properly delegating to trusted members. There is so much to get done at a church plant, much of it really matters to the health and future of the church. I have to trust that God is going to lead people, be gracious when they fail and recognize that God is still in control. I am still struggling to delegate things out but by God's grace I am getting better at making disciples my giving more things away.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

I have known about A29 ever since Pastor Mark helped found it. The biggest benefit of being a part of the network is the relationships, locally, nationally, and globally.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant? 

Proverb 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. My mentor told me I was not ready to take on Mars Hill Olympia but that God had called me and I had to go. He said I would fail many times but the only answer I could give to planting was yes and be ready to be humbled.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Church Planter by Darrin Patrick

Church Profile: Mars Hill Church | Olympia Campus
Launch Date: July 2008
Location: Olympia, WA

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Mars Hill Church exists to make disciples and plant churches.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

We did baptisms on Dec 19th and saw 17 professions of faith, many had come to Christ in that last 3 months! Its amazing to see that God is still at work in us, through us and in spite of us. We have also seen 100% in the past year and installed a new Elder, its been an amazing year in 2010.

How can we pray for you?

Pray for my family that they would be loving Jesus and I could lead them well. Pray that God raises up more leaders. Pray for more people to come to know Jesus in Olympia and south sound through Mars Hill Olympia.