Find Joy This Thanksgiving—Join Us In-Person or Online! 🍁

Find Joy This Thanksgiving—Join Us In-Person or Online! 🍁

by | Nov 16, 2024 | Empowerment

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Hello Reader,

This Thanksgiving season, we’re focusing on a powerful message: How to Find Joy in Every Circumstance.

Whether you’re celebrating blessings or navigating challenges, God’s Word gives us a simple yet life-changing formula for lasting joy.

This message is perfect for anyone needing encouragement and practical steps to embrace gratitude, even in tough seasons. Bring your family, invite your friends, or share the link—it’s a message everyone can relate to.

💡 Let’s make this Thanksgiving one to remember by filling it with gratitude, hope, and joy.

Everyone is welcome, whether you prefer to gather with us in person or from the comfort of your home.

We can’t wait to see you in person or online!

Join Us This Week! 🗓️

Sunday Worship – November 17, 2024,

Two Ways to Connect:

🖥️ Log On Online

  • Time: 10:30 AM Central
  • Platform: Mars Hill Anywhere (YouTube & Facebook Live)
  • Perfect for our digital family joining from home

🏢 Pull-Up In Person

  • Time: 10:30 AM Central
  • Location: 7941 47th St, McCook, IL 60525
  • Join us for live worship and fellowship

Ways to Participate:

  • Set a calendar reminder to join us online
  • Share the service link with friends and family
  • Connect with other members in the live chat
  • Submit your prayer requests before the service
  • Prepare your heart for worship with our weekly playlist

Quick Tips for the Best Online Experience:

  • Log in a few minutes early to test your connection
  • Have your Bible ready for note-taking
  • Keep your device charged or plugged in
  • Use headphones for better audio quality

Whether you join us online or in person, you’re essential to our Mars Hill family. We can’t wait to worship with you!

How to Support Mars Hill

Your support helps us spread hope and share God’s love with our community and beyond. Here are some ways you can get involved:

  1. Give: Your financial gifts make a difference. You can give online through our secure website or use our mobile app.
  2. Serve: We have many opportunities to serve, both in-person and virtually. Check out our website for current needs.
  3. Pray: Please keep our church, leaders, and community in your prayers. Your prayers are powerful!
  4. Invite: Do you know someone who might benefit from our message? Invite them to join us online or in person this Sunday.
  5. Share: Help spread the word by sharing our social media posts or forwarding this email to a friend.

Your generosity keeps Mars Hill thriving and helps us reach more people with God’s love. If you feel led to contribute, here are some ways you can support our ministry:

  1. ​Online Giving: Visit our website to securely set up one-time or recurring donations.
  2. Text-to-Give: Text MHGIVE to 33777 and follow the prompts.
  3. Sunday Offering: Drop your gift in the offering basket during our in-person services.
  4. Mail: Send checks to:

Mars Hill Baptist Church
PO Box 6159
River Forest, IL 60305

Remember, every gift, big or small, makes a difference. Your support allows us to:

  • Maintain our temporary church home
  • Fund community outreach programs
  • Provide resources for Life Groups
  • Expand our online ministry
  • Invest in equipment, tools, cameras, and software to grow our online campus.

We’re grateful for your partnership in spreading the Gospel and serving our community in person and online.

Please consider giving today and help us grow in faith and impact.

See you Sunday!

Here to help you win,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don’t forget to join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰
🎯 Before You Give Up: Real Talk on Faith, Pain, and True Healing

🎯 Before You Give Up: Real Talk on Faith, Pain, and True Healing

by | Nov 13, 2024 | Empowerment

Happy Hump Day Reader,

Welcome to another uplifting week together!

Whether you’re joining us from your living room, kitchen, or anywhere else, we want you to feel right at home. Mars Hill Anywhere isn’t just a church; we’re a family spread across many places, united by faith and love.

This week, we’re sharing updates on upcoming events, ways to get involved, a short devotional to lift your spirit, and some important reminders to keep you connected. No matter where you are, we want you to be part of what God is doing in our community.

Here’s what to expect this week:

  • Updates on upcoming services (In-person & online) and ways you can get involved.
  • An overview of last Sunday’s message: Before You Give Up
  • Deep Dive Podcast Overview
  • Important reminders to help you stay connected.

Let’s grow together.

We’d love for you to join us for worship this week!

Everyone is welcome, whether you prefer to gather with us in person or from the comfort of your home.

Join Us This Week! 🗓️

Sunday Worship – November 17, 2024,

Two Ways to Connect:

🖥️ Online Service

  • Time: 10:30 AM Central
  • Platform: Mars Hill Anywhere (YouTube & Facebook Live)
  • Perfect for our digital family joining from home

🏢 In-Person Gathering

  • Time: 10:30 AM Central
  • Location: 7941 47th St, McCook, IL 60525
  • Join us for live worship and fellowship

Ways to Participate:

  • Set a calendar reminder to join us online
  • Share the service link with friends and family
  • Connect with other members in the live chat
  • Submit your prayer requests before the service
  • Prepare your heart for worship with our weekly playlist

Quick Tips for the Best Online Experience:

  • Log in a few minutes early to test your connection
  • Have your Bible ready for note-taking
  • Keep your device charged or plugged in
  • Use headphones for better audio quality

Whether you join us online or in person, you’re essential to our Mars Hill family. We can’t wait to worship with you!

Before You Give Up: Dealing With Post-Election Blues

This week’s sermon, “Before You Give Up: Dealing with Post-Election Blues,” focuses on spiritual bypassing—using clichés to avoid real emotions, which hinders true healing.

Instead of dismissing pain with phrases like “God’s got it,” we are encouraged to acknowledge our emotions and bring them to God. It may be uncomfortable, but it’s key to genuine healing.

The sermon will:

  • Define spiritual bypassing and its dangers.
  • Explore the balance of trusting God while being honest about pain.
  • Use David in Psalm 34 and Jesus in Gethsemane as examples of facing pain openly.
  • Offer steps to move past bypassing, like acknowledging pain and seeking support.

Key Scriptures: Psalm 34:18, Psalm 23:4, Matthew 26:38, Psalm 147:3

Closing Thoughts: God’s love holds both our pain and our faith. Be honest with Him to find real healing.

video preview​

Before You Give Up Podcast

If you’re grappling with difficult emotions after the election and find yourself masking your pain with spiritual platitudes, check out this week’s podcast episode, “Before You Give Up: Dealing with Post-Election Blues.”

This podcast examines the concept of spiritual bypassing, a term coined by John Welwood to describe the tendency to use spiritual ideas and language to avoid confronting difficult feelings.

I encourage listeners to be honest with God and themselves about their pain, drawing inspiration from the examples of David in Psalm 34 and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Furthermore, this episode provides practical steps for moving beyond spiritual bypassing and experiencing genuine healing. It reminds listeners that God’s love is vast enough to encompass both their pain and their faith.

How to Support Mars Hill

Your support helps us spread hope and share God’s love with our community and beyond. Here are some ways you can get involved:

  1. Give: Your financial gifts make a difference. You can give online through our secure website or use our mobile app.
  2. Serve: We have many opportunities to serve, both in-person and virtually. Check out our website for current needs.
  3. Pray: Please keep our church, leaders, and community in your prayers. Your prayers are powerful!
  4. Invite: Do you know someone who might benefit from our message? Invite them to join us online or in person this Sunday.
  5. Share: Help spread the word by sharing our social media posts or forwarding this email to a friend.

Your generosity keeps Mars Hill thriving and helps us reach more people with God’s love. If you feel led to contribute, here are some ways you can support our ministry:

  1. ​Online Giving: Visit our website to securely set up one-time or recurring donations.
  2. Text-to-Give: Text MHGIVE to 33777 and follow the prompts.
  3. Sunday Offering: Drop your gift in the offering basket during our in-person services.
  4. Mail: Send checks to:

Mars Hill Baptist Church
PO Box 6159
River Forest, IL 60305

Remember, every gift, big or small, makes a difference. Your support allows us to:

  • Maintain our temporary church home
  • Fund community outreach programs
  • Provide resources for Life Groups
  • Expand our online ministry
  • Invest in equipment, tools, cameras, and software to grow our online campus.

We’re grateful for your partnership in spreading the Gospel and serving our community in person and online.

Please consider giving today and help us grow in faith and impact.

See you Sunday!

Here to help you win,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don’t forget to join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰
🇺🇸 Post-Election Blues? Before You Give Up: A Message of Hope and Healing

🇺🇸 Post-Election Blues? Before You Give Up: A Message of Hope and Healing

by | Nov 7, 2024 | Empowerment

Happy Thursday Reader,

I know many of you are feeling disappointed and disheartened by the election results.

In times like these, it’s easy to feel lost or to question what’s next. I want to remind you that our hope has never rested in any one person or political system.

Our hope is in God, whose love and purpose remain unshaken, no matter the circumstances.

Be Aware of Spiritual Bypassing

Healing isn’t just saying, “God’s got it.”

Spiritual bypassing occurs when we use spiritual phrases to avoid dealing with painful emotions. It often feels comforting but prevents proper healing.

Sometimes, we hide behind words like “God is good all the time” to quickly cover up our pain, thinking it’s enough.

But real healing requires more. Ignoring our emotions doesn’t bring peace—it only temporarily covers the wound.

Spiritual bypassing is like putting a band-aid on a deep wound, pretending the pain isn’t there. It might feel safer to say, “God’s in control,” rather than admit we’re struggling.

True healing begins with honesty. When we ignore or deny our pain, we miss out on the deep work God wants to do in our hearts.

Healing is a process. It means acknowledging what hurts and allowing God to work in those vulnerable spaces.

Admitting pain isn’t a weakness; it’s a brave step toward growth. God honors that courage.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. —Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Avoid Using Faith as an Escape

Sometimes, we use faith to sidestep real healing. We might think, “If I believe in God, I shouldn’t feel this way.”

But ignoring our pain doesn’t make it go away; it only buries it deeper.

Phrases like “God has a plan” or “I’ll just pray about it” can mask pain.

This avoidance doesn’t make us stronger; it keeps us from the genuine healing God desires for us.

God wants us to bring our whole selves to Him—not just the parts we feel comfortable with but also the messy and scared parts.

Only when we do this can we truly experience His healing power.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. —Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

God doesn’t promise that we won’t walk through dark valleys, but He does promise to be with us.

Faith is about knowing we aren’t alone when we face those valleys. Often, it’s in the darkest moments that God transforms us the most.

Jesus Shows Us a Better Way

Jesus didn’t bypass His emotions. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He felt deep sorrow and openly expressed it.

In Matthew 26:38, Jesus said,

“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”

He named His pain without fear. Jesus’ example shows us that feeling pain doesn’t mean we lack faith. It means we are human, and God meets us in that humanity.

Jesus didn’t rush His process or dismiss His pain.

Instead, He brought it fully to God, showing that faith and feelings coexist. He also leaned on His disciples, asking them to pray with Him. Though they failed, it reminds us we need others in our struggles.

Vulnerability is an act of faith and trust.

Moving Past Spiritual Bypassing

1. Acknowledge Your Pain Honestly

Name your emotions rather than using quick phrases to brush over how you feel. Healing begins with admitting your hurt.

Sometimes, we need others to be part of our healing journey. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation; God created us for community, and there is strength in sharing our burdens with trusted people.

Action Step: Spend a few minutes each day naming and sharing your feelings with God. For more clarity, consider writing your emotions in a journal.

2. Practice Presence Instead of Pushing Past

Faith isn’t about ignoring pain but facing it with God’s strength. Trust that God is present with you through difficult emotions. Being present with your feelings is uncomfortable, but it’s necessary for healing. God isn’t asking you to fix everything immediately—invite Him into your pain.

Action Step: When emotions arise, feel and process them. To stay grounded, engage in activities like walking in nature, deep breathing, or meditating on scripture.

3. Seek Help and Support

Healing is not a solo act. God often uses the community to help us heal. Admitting we need help is an act of faith—trusting that God places people in our lives for a reason.

Action Step: Find someone you can talk to openly—a trusted friend, mentor, or counselor. Consider joining a support or church group to share and find strength in collective healing.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

God cares deeply about your struggles. Trust that He is big enough to handle them and wants to bear your burdens.

Closing Thoughts: Real Healing Begins with Openness

Healing isn’t about denying pain but inviting God into it. Spiritual bypassing may provide temporary comfort, but only honesty with God will bring lasting peace.

God desires to meet us in our deepest hurt if we allow Him access. Let’s remember Jesus allowed space for sorrow. God’s love is big enough to hold our pain and faith together.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. —Psalm 147:3 (NLT)

God promises to bind our wounds—not just cover them, but heal them completely.

This week, commit to embracing your emotions rather than covering them up. Write down any feelings you’ve been avoiding and bring them to God in prayer.

Share with someone you trust—vulnerability brings freedom and inspires others to do the same. Together, let’s seek true healing.

Special Invitation: Before You Give Up

Join me on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 10:30 AM Central for a special message titled “Before You Give Up.”

We’ll explore what it means to face our pain head-on rather than avoiding it.

Together, we’ll explore how God meets us in those moments when we feel most like giving up and how He provides strength when ours feels depleted.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience real encouragement and hope.

Here’s to your success,

Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
​See All of my Links @ Linktree​
You Are the Church: It’s Time to Make a Difference

You Are the Church: It’s Time to Make a Difference

by | Nov 5, 2024 | Empowerment

Hello Reader,

Ever feel like church is just another item on your weekly checklist?

What if I told you that it’s more than just a Sunday tradition—it’s something you are?

In my latest blog post, I explore what it truly means to move from attending church to being the church.

Spoiler:
It’s about connection, commitment, and living your faith every single day.

Ready to dive in and discover how to make faith a lifestyle, not an event? Click below to read more and get inspired.

👉 Read the Full Post Here​

Let’s make a difference together.

— Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
You Are the Church: Moving Beyond Attendance to Living Faith

You Are the Church: Moving Beyond Attendance to Living Faith

by | Nov 4, 2024 | Empowerment

The Church is More Than a Building

What comes to mind when you hear the word "church"?

For many, it's the building they pass by, the place they go to on Sundays, or maybe the sanctuary they seek for some peace. But the church isn't just a building or a weekly meeting—the church is something you are.

The Bible describes the church as a living group of people, not just bricks and mortar. It's a movement with a mission and shared faith. Today, let's explore how you can go from just attending to being the church.

The church isn’t just a place you go—it’s something you are. Let’s live our faith beyond Sundays. #BeTheChurch #FaithInAction

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The Heart of the Church: A Living, Breathing Community

In the New Testament, Jesus' idea of the church radically differed from how we often see it today. He didn't imagine His followers simply attending services and going through rituals.

He saw them as a living expression of faith, united to help and support each other. To understand this better, let’s look at the early church—the community described in Acts 2:42-47.

These early believers weren't just casual attendees; they were devoted to each other, sharing meals, praying, and helping one another daily.

This deep connection and care were called koinonia, a word that embodies fellowship, shared purpose, and community. They lived life together beyond the four walls of a building, and this distinction between being the church rather than attending the church made all the difference. It's the difference between checking off a box and living with real intention and purpose.

Commitment is the bedrock of real community. The early church thrived because they invested in each other, not just when it was easy. #Community #ChurchLife

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Being an active, living part of the church means realizing that faith isn't just about a set of traditions or routines. It's about relationships—relationships with God, other believers, and the world around us.

When Jesus spoke about His followers being a light to the world, He wasn't just talking about isolated moments of good behavior. He spoke of a community actively engaging with the world and reflecting God's love and truth daily.

Commitment to the Foundation of Real Community

The word ekklesia, which we often translate as "church," originally meant "gathering" or "assembly." But this wasn't just a Sunday gathering. It was a group of people living with intentionality—united by their belief in Jesus Christ and a mission to share His love with the world.

Their unity wasn't passive or born of convenience; it was sacrificial and transformative. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, and it's clear He was referring to the people, not a physical place.

Commitment is the bedrock of a real community. Today, it's easy to fall into the mindset of "joining" groups as long as they meet our needs. However, the early church modeled something different: they committed to each other—not just when it was easy, but even when it cost them their time, energy, and resources. Their community was about creating a family, a group of people who could lean on one another no matter the circumstance.

They weren't just interested in being comfortable. They wanted to grow, help each other, and serve others. They weren't looking for convenience; they were building something much deeper—a fellowship that made a real difference in each other's lives. This kind of commitment can transform a community, and it starts with each of us deciding to be fully invested.

How to Move From Attending to Being the Church

You might wonder, "What does it look like to live as the church today?" Here are some practical ways to embody this principle and move from being a mere attendee to truly being the church.

1. Make Prayer and Worship Part of Your Daily Rhythm

For the early church, prayer wasn't confined to certain hours on a Sunday. It was woven into the fabric of daily life. It grounded them and created a spiritual rhythm that unified them. How can you bring prayer into your daily routine? Consider starting small—like praying before you start your day or praying for a friend during your commute. These simple acts reinforce the idea that church isn't an isolated event but a relationship with God that influences every part of your life.

One powerful practice is to pray with someone else. This week, reach out to someone in your community—a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor—and ask if you can pray together. It doesn't have to be elaborate or lengthy. Prayer builds unity, deepens our connection to God, and reminds us that we're not meant to journey through life alone.

2. Build Relationships Outside of Sunday Services

True fellowship extends beyond a smile and a handshake during a church service. The early believers met daily, breaking bread and sharing their lives. They genuinely knew each other, and it's no wonder that their community thrived. Genuine fellowship means doing life together—being there for one another in good times and bad, celebrating each other's victories, and comforting each other in hardship.

To build these connections, take the initiative to meet with others outside of scheduled church events. Invite someone for coffee or have a family over for dinner. When you make an effort to create bonds beyond the walls of the building, the church starts to feel less like an event and more like a true family.

True fellowship goes beyond a handshake on Sunday. It’s about doing life together—celebrating, supporting, and growing with each other. #ChurchFamily #Fellowship

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3. Practice Generosity, Even in Small Ways

In Acts 2, it says that believers "had everything in common" and shared their possessions with those in need. Generosity was a reflection of the shared life they had.

Today, generosity doesn't always mean giving large amounts of money; it can be as simple as sharing your time, talents, or even a listening ear.

Consider volunteering at your church, reaching out to a neighbor in need, or supporting someone through a difficult time.

Generosity brings people together, creating a culture of mutual care and empathy. It transforms our perspective from being church consumers to active participants in God's work.

Generosity isn’t always about money. Sharing your time, your skills, or a listening ear is just as valuable in God’s Kingdom. #Generosity #ServeOthers

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4. Encourage One Another Daily

In Hebrews 3:13, believers are encouraged to uplift each other daily so they don't become hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Encouragement is a powerful way to embody the church—it brings hope, reaffirms purpose, and strengthens relationships. Imagine how much lighter our burdens would feel if we made it a habit to encourage each other daily.

Take a moment today to send a text, make a call, or write a note to someone in your community. Let them know they're valued and that you're grateful they're part of your life. Small gestures can make a huge impact, reminding us all that we're not alone.

Living as the Church: Everywhere, All the Time

When we embrace the idea that we are the church, we see our role in the world differently. Church isn't something you attend once a week—it's a way of life. It's embodied in your interactions with coworkers, the way you treat your neighbors, and how you show up in the lives of your friends and family.

The early Christians didn't compartmentalize their faith. It was the foundation of everything they did, and it's why they were able to change the world. You, too, can reflect God's love in your everyday life. When you bring the spirit of the church into your workplace, social circles, and community, you are helping to build the Kingdom of God—brick by brick, through every act of kindness, compassion, and service.

The beauty of being the church is that it isn't limited by time or space. It doesn't stop after the Sunday service or when you leave the building. The church is present in every situation where believers carry out God's love and care. Whether you're comforting a friend, helping a neighbor, or simply being kind to a stranger, you are representing Christ and embodying the true meaning of the church.

Being the church means reflecting God’s love every day, not just on Sundays. It’s a lifestyle, not an event. #LivingFaith #DailyDevotion

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Conclusion: You Are the Church

Ultimately, you are the church. Wherever you go, the spirit of the church goes with you, transforming everyday interactions into opportunities to reflect God's love. It's in your conversations, your prayers, and your actions.

It's in the kindness you show a stranger and the grace you extend to a friend. Being the church means understanding that faith isn't just about what happens on a Sunday morning—it's about what happens daily.

May we be a community living out the call to love God and our neighbors, taking inspiration from the early believers who knew that genuine faith is never confined to a building.

May we embody the spirit of the early church, becoming a beacon of hope and purpose, showing the world the power of a unified, purpose-driven community. 

Let's move beyond attendance and embrace the call to be the church—everywhere we go, in everything we do.


Next Steps

  1. Watch the replay that inspired this blog post on YouTube.
  2. Listen to the Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast.
  3. Check out my latest book, Bold Prayers: How to Pray With Confidence & Expectation, on Amazon.

Unlock Faith on The Fly

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