Happy Thursday Reader,

As we enter 2025, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you. This year holds incredible promise, and I’m excited about the journey ahead as we grow together in faith and community.

Whether you’re joining us from near or far, know that you are an integral part of our family, and your presence enriches our shared mission.

Let’s embrace this new chapter with open hearts, leaning into God’s guidance and celebrating the joy of being connected as one body in Christ.

This Week at Mars Hill Anywhere

Here’s what you can look forward to in this week’s issue:

1. Mars Hill’s 2025 Vision: In 2025, Mars Hill Anywhere will deepen connections, leverage technology, and expand its reach to share God’s love and create lasting impact locally and globally.
2. In-person Service Highlights: Our first in-person service of 2025 was an incredible blessing, filled with worship and community. We reflected on Christ’s sacrifice and celebrated Communion together.
3. New Sermon Series – “Missed Calls”: Dive into this thought-provoking series that explores how we can reconnect with God’s calling.
4. Updated Mobile App: Stay connected on the go with our newly updated Mars Hill Anywhere app, designed to enhance your experience and keep you informed.
5. What to Expect in 2025: Tune in to the Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast for insights and inspiration as we journey through the year ahead.

2025 Vision: From Here to There, Rooted in Faith, Growing Anywhere

Our vision for 2025 is inspired by Psalm 1:3 (NLT):

This year, we’re focusing on three strategic pillars to guide our ministry:

1. Spiritual Growth & Discipleship
   • Launching the “Bold Prayers” Discipleship Pathway.
   • Hosting workshops on prayer and Bible study.
   • Encouraging consistent growth with a 30-Day Spiritual Growth Challenge.
2. Community Impact & Connection
   • Expanding the Taste of Mars Hill event to foster relationships.
   • Launching the Mars Hill Men’s Lounge for fellowship and wealth-building.
   • Partnering with local organizations for mentorship and service opportunities.
3. Hybrid Excellence & Engagement
   • Upgrading live streams with enhanced audio and visuals.
   • Hosting live Q&A sessions after sermons for real-time interaction.
   • Providing resources for both in-person and online worshipers.

Throughout the first quarter, I’ll unpack this vision in greater detail, sharing how you can grow and serve with us.

In-person Service Highlights

Our first in-person service of 2025 was truly unforgettable!

The sanctuary was filled with vibrant worship, heartfelt prayers, and a strong sense of community.

Celebrating Communion together during this service was a blessing. We reflected on Christ’s sacrifice and renewed our faith as we began the year united in His love.

Moments like these remind us of the beauty and power of gathering as a faith family.

Let’s carry this energy forward into the weeks and months ahead, strengthening our connections and growing in our shared mission.

Join Us for Sunday’s Online Church Service!

Start your week with worship and connection at Mars Hill Anywhere!

Join us this Sunday for an uplifting online service led by Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

📅 Time: 10:30 AM CST
📍 Where: Streaming live on Facebook Live and YouTube.

Gather your family, invite your friends, and be part of this powerful experience as we come together in faith, no matter where you are!

New Sermon Series: “Missed Calls”

This four-week series delves into the challenging reality of missed calls and opportunities in life.

As Christians, we often encounter moments when we might overlook God’s calling for various reasons: ignoring opportunities to serve others, prioritizing personal desires over His plan, clinging to unmet expectations, or failing to act on the moments God places before us.

The good news is that even missed calls can be redeemed by God. Join us as we learn to recognize and respond to His call in every season of life.

​

Updated Mars Hill Anywhere Mobile App

We’re excited to announce the launch of our updated Mars Hill Anywhere mobile app! Designed to keep you connected and inspired, the app offers enhanced features, including:

• Access to sermon archives and weekly devotionals anytime, anywhere.
• Staying up-to-date with church events and announcements.
• Joining live streams seamlessly from your mobile device.
• Submitting prayer requests and connecting with your Mars Hill family.

Download or update the app today at Mars Hill Mobile App and stay rooted in faith wherever you are. Let’s grow together in 2025!

Download or update the app today!

Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast: Latest Episode

Kick-off 2025 with inspiration by tuning in to the latest episode of the Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast, “Forget Perfection: Why Progress is the Real Goal in 2025.”

This episode, packed with practical insights and faith-driven leadership principles, sets the tone for a year of growth and transformation.

Listen now: Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast.

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.

​Give Now!

Let’s step into 2025 confidently, knowing that God will guide us every step. I can’t wait to see you on January 5th as we begin this exciting journey together!

Here to help you win,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don’t forget to “Log on” us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰

Happy Monday Reader,

Think New Year’s resolutions are the only way to grow?

This ONE tweak to your mindset will make you 37x better by next year.

Ready to embrace small wins? 🎧

A new episode of my podcast is live, and it’s all about transforming your approach to personal development!

Episode Overview:

Discover the power of Micro Growth Resolutions—small, consistent actions that lead to big, lasting changes. This episode challenges the traditional New Year’s resolution mindset and explores how embracing small wins can revolutionize your growth journey.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why Micro Resolutions Work: How daily 1% improvements can make you 37 times better by year’s end.

• Real-Life Stories of Success: Inspiring examples of how small actions, like reading one page a day or taking short walks, lead to remarkable progress.

• Practical Micro Resolutions: Easy-to-implement ideas for personal growth, relationships, health, and workspace organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on progress, not perfection.

• Celebrate small wins to build momentum.

• Remember, growth is a journey, not a destination.

🎧 Listen now to “Forget Perfection: Why Progress is the Real Goal in 2025.”

Let this episode inspire you to embrace small, actionable steps that will create meaningful change. Share your favorite micro-resolution idea with me—I’d love to hear it!

Here’s to your success,

Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
​Get 1% Better Every Day​
​See All of my Links @ Linktree​

P.S. Don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s ready to transform their growth journey!

Happy Monday Reader,

I’m excited to share two updates that will keep you connected and inspired!

New Mobile App Features

We’ve updated our app to bring #ChurchInYourPocket to life! Here’s what’s new:

• Add events directly to your calendar for easy planning.

• Access a weekly devotional within the Devotional Tab to encourage your spiritual growth.

• Submit prayer requests anytime, anywhere.

• Watch the latest message without leaving the app—check it out in the “Missed Calls” new series tab.

It’s all about making your experience with Mars Hill Anywhere more accessible and impactful right from your phone.

Download or update the app today!

This Week’s Devotional: Between the Already and Not Yet

This week’s devotional, Between the Already and Not Yet: Preparing for 2025, will inspire and equip you to embrace the opportunities ahead with faith and purpose.

You can access it here: The Power of a Second Chance: Turning Setbacks into Comebacks.

Let’s step into 2025 together, ready to turn challenges into comebacks!

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What if I have other questions?

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Thanks again for helping me make sermons more shareable. Let’s do this together!

Here to help you win,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don’t forget to “Log on” us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰

Happy New Year! 🎉

As we enter 2025, I’m excited about what God has in store for us. This year, our focus is on being “Rooted in Faith, Growing Anywhere,” inspired by Psalm 1:3 (NLT):

When we’re firmly planted in God’s Word, growth becomes inevitable. This year, we aim to grow in faith, impact, and connection wherever God places us. In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find:

​1️⃣ A preview of our 2025 Vision: From Here to There, Rooted in Faith, Growing Anywhere, including the three pillars guiding us this year.

2️⃣ An invitation to our first service of 2025 on Sunday, January 5th, at 10:30 AM CST—whether in person or online.

3️⃣ A preview of our first series of the year, “Missed Calls”—a powerful four-week journey exploring how God can redeem missed opportunities.

Let’s make 2025 a year of faith, growth, and community. Keep reading to learn how to get involved and inspired from the start!

2025 Vision: From Here to There, Rooted in Faith, Growing Anywhere

Our vision for 2025 is inspired by Psalm 1:3 (NLT):

This year, we’re focusing on three strategic pillars to guide our ministry:

1. Spiritual Growth & Discipleship

Goal: Equip individuals to grow deeper in their faith and develop spiritual resilience.

2. Community Impact & Connection

Goal: Strengthen our local and global communities through service and relationships.

3. Hybrid Excellence & Engagement

Goal: Optimize our digital and in-person ministries to meet people wherever they are.

Throughout the first quarter, I’ll explain this vision in greater detail and share ways you can grow and serve with us.

Let’s kick off the year together with worship and community!

Join Us for Worship This Sunday: Pull Up or Log On!

We’d love for you to “Pull up” and be with us in person or “Log on” to join our online worship community this Sunday, January 5, 2024, at 10:30 AM CST.

Here’s what you need to know:

✨ Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025

✨ Time: 10:30 AM CST

✨ Location:

Mars Hill Anywhere
7941 47th St
McCook, IL 60525

🖥️ Online Service

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

Bring your family, friends, or neighbors—there’s room for everyone at Mars Hill Anywhere!

No matter where you are, there’s always a place for you at Mars Hill.

Feel free to scan the QR code in the image above for more details and to connect with us quickly. We can’t wait to see you—whether in person or online!

Whether you pull up or log on, this service is a powerful way to begin 2025 rooted in faith and fellowship.

New Series: Missed Calls

We’re starting the year with a thought-provoking four-week series, “Missed Calls.”

In life, we sometimes miss God’s call because:

• We overlook chances to serve others.

• We focus on our desires instead of God’s plan.

• We cling to expectations that don’t align with His will.

• We fail to seize the moments God places in front of us.

But here’s the good news: God can redeem even missed calls. Join us each week to discover how to recognize and respond to His call in every season of life.

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 set up one-time or recurring donations securely.
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.

​Give Now!

Let’s step into 2025 confidently, knowing that God will guide us every step. I can’t wait to see you on January 5th as we begin this exciting journey together!

With faith and gratitude,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don’t forget to”pull up” or “Log on” us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰

Happy New Year Reader,

Ever feel like New Year’s resolutions are set up to fail?

Here’s the thing: big, sweeping resolutions often feel overwhelming and unattainable. That’s why I want to share a different approach—a way to build small, consistent wins that could completely redefine your 2025.

Take David, for example. At the start of last year, he decided to ditch the grand, intimidating goals and focus on small, meaningful changes instead.

He committed to reading just one page of a book daily, saving $5 weekly, and taking a five-minute walk every morning.

By the end of the year, those simple habits added to big wins: he finished three books, built a savings cushion, and felt noticeably healthier.

2025 is here, with it, the promise of new opportunities and growth. What if you focused on progress this year instead of chasing perfection?

In my latest blog post, you’ll discover:

• Why the 1% better every day mindset could redefine your year

• Simple, actionable steps to build habits that stick

• A fresh perspective on why small changes create a lasting impact

Plus, I’m sharing more stories like David’s and how small, consistent actions can also lead to big results in your life.

👉 Ready to kick off 2025 with clarity and confidence? Click below to read the full blog post:

​Forget Perfection: Why Progress is the Real Goal for 2025​

Here’s to making this year one of growth and progress!

Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
​See All of my Links @ Linktree​