Happy Hump Day Reader

I know life gets loud.

Between texts, schedules, and endless noise, it can feel impossible to slow down long enough to hear God clearly. That is why I’m excited to share what’s coming next for us.

Coming Soon!!! New Life Group Study: Purpose in the Noise

Beginning the week of September 21 through October 26, we’ll walk through a 6-week Life Group study called Purpose in the Noise.

This study is designed to help you quiet distractions and tune in to God’s whisper again.

Whether you connect online or in person, you’ll find encouragement and practical steps to live with focus.

✅ Weekly teaching videos

✅ Guided conversations

✅ Real talk for real life

✅ Get your 👉🏾 Free downloadable workbook​

✅ YouTube Playlist (All 10 Videos)​

​

Please review the materials and let me know if you have any questions as we move forward.

And this isn’t just a study. It’s the fuel behind our brand-new sermon series…

SERMON SERIES: Purpose in the Noise

📣 ife is louder than ever. Notifications, arguments, and demands pull at your attention. But God still speaks—and often He whispers.

This Week’s Message: Beware the Overwhelming Noise That’s Killing Your Focus

I taught from 1 Kings 19:11–13, where Elijah discovered God’s whisper in the chaos.

Big Idea: God reveals Himself in ways we don’t expect—sometimes in the silence after the storm.

Key Line: Silence isn’t absence. It’s God making space to speak.

In this message, you’ll discover:

• Why distraction is just as dangerous as disobedience
• How Elijah recognized God in the whisper, not the chaos
• Practical steps to cut through the noise and hear Him clearly
• Why silence is not wasted it’s where trust grows

▶️ Watch the Replay on YouTube​

Church was never meant to be a buffet.

Too many people stall out spiritually, not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been handed a menu instead of a map.

This week, I taught on why your faith might feel stuck and how to get traction again.

🧭 Download your personal M.A.P.​

A 4-step rhythm to help you move from listening to growing.

Everything is right here!

🧭 What’s Next For Mars Hill?

We are moving decisively toward a permanent facility. When we sold our building four years ago, we trusted God’s leading.

Now, with energy costs straining many congregations, we can see how He protected us.

Instead of pouring funds into rising utilities, we’ve been able to direct resources into people, discipleship, and mission.

That choice didn’t set us back. It set us up so we can take the next step with strength, faith, and financial clarity.

Our Strategic Transition: Monthly Celebrations

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, we will be hosting our next Super Sunday Service at 10:30 AM CST.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship (Online Only)

When: Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST

Where: Online at MarsHillChicago.org
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

Also Worth Noting:

Read My Latest Article on Substack: They Only Love You When You’re Useful​

This one hit a nerve. If you’re always holding it together for everyone else, this is for you.

👉 Read the article​

📱 Short on Time? I Got You

Check out my new YouTube Shorts. These are quick, honest, and built for real life.

👉 5 Signs Something’s Ending Soon​

Everything you need to grow spiritually is right on your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket.

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

Moving Forward Together: Invest in Hope, Impact, and Community

How to Support Mars Hill

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from in-person gatherings to digital discipleship. If you’ve been encouraged by this ministry, here are a few simple ways to give and get involved:

Give:

Support the mission securely at marshillchicago.org/giving, in our mobile app, or by texting MHGIVE to 33777. You can also mail checks to:

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

Serve:

Use your gifts to make a difference online or in person. Visit our site to see current serving opportunities.

Pray:

Lift up our leaders, our church family, and the people we’re reaching. Prayer is a powerful form of participation.

Invite & Share:

Send this email to a friend, invite someone to service, or repost something that encouraged you. Every share matters.

You’re helping us reach people with hope, truth, and love, whether they’re across town or across the country.

🔥 Your Move This Weekend

✔️ Watch the sermon

✔️ Download the devotional

✔️ Give to what God is doing at Mars Hill

✔️ Forward this to someone who feels like they don’t have enough

With love and expectation,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

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

Happy Thursday Reader!

If you were in the room on Sunday, you already know—God met us in a powerful way.

The worship? 🔥

The Word? 🔥

The response? Even louder than the noise life throws at us.

And if you missed it, don’t feel left out feel invited. Because this moment is bigger than a service. It’s a shift.

Coming Soon!!! New Life Group Study: Purpose in the Noise

Life gets loud. And when it does, it’s easy to lose clarity, confidence, and direction.

That’s why we created a new 6-week Life Group experience called Purpose in the Noise to help you get anchored in what matters most.

✅ Weekly teaching videos

✅ Guided conversations

✅ Real talk for real life

✅ Free downloadable workbook

And this isn’t just a study. It’s the fuel behind our brand-new sermon series…

🧠 SERMON SERIES: Purpose in the Noise

📣 God never asked you to carry what’s crushing you.

We’re going deeper on Sundays, too. Starting this week, we kick off a raw and real sermon series tied directly to our study. If you’re tired of surface-level faith and want something that actually speaks to your life this is for you.

Here’s a preview of what’s coming:

🗓️ Week 1: “When You Don’t Have Enough”

🗓️ Week 2: “Your Circle Is Costing You”

🗓️ Week 3: “Faith Is Hard When You’re Honest”

🗓️ Week 4: “God in the Grind”

🗓️ Week 5: “Burnout Ain’t Holy”

🗓️ Week 6: “Don’t Go Back to Numb”

This isn’t just a series. It’s a shift.

Don’t miss it.

🎙️ Sermon Overview: When You Don’t Have Enough

Ever felt like you’re giving everything you’ve got—and still coming up short?

This week, Pastor Clarence shares a double dose of encouragement drawn from two powerful passages: 1 Samuel 16:6–13 and 2 Kings 4:1–7.

God sees what others miss. And He multiplies what you surrender—not what you withhold.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

From 1 Samuel 16:6–13

• Just because people don’t see you doesn’t mean God skipped you

• Man looks at the surface. God sees your substance

• You don’t need applause to be anointed

• Your faithfulness matters—even when it feels ignored

From 2 Kings 4:1–7

• Scarcity is more than financial—it’s a mindset

• God multiplies empty vessels, not full excuses

• When you feel like you’ve run out, that’s where God starts pouring

👥 Who This Is For:

• Spiritually tired but still believing
• High achievers carrying quiet pressure
• Anyone burned out, financially stressed, or feeling overlooked

This message hits your weekly life, not just your Sunday mood.

▶️ Watch the full sermon now: YouTube Link​

Church was never meant to be a buffet.

Too many people stall out spiritually, not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been handed a menu instead of a map.

This week, I taught on why your faith might feel stuck and how to get traction again.

🧭 Download your personal M.A.P.​

A 4-step rhythm to help you move from listening to growing.

Everything is right here!

🧭 What’s Next For Mars Hill?

We are moving decisively toward a permanent facility. When we sold our building four years ago, we trusted God’s leading.

Now, with energy costs straining many congregations, we can see how He protected us.

Instead of pouring funds into rising utilities, we’ve been able to direct resources into people, discipleship, and mission.

That choice didn’t set us back. It set us up so we can take the next step with strength, faith, and financial clarity.

Our Strategic Transition: Monthly Celebrations

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, we will be hosting our next Super Sunday Service at 10:30 AM CST.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship (Online Only)

When: Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST

Where: Online at MarsHillChicago.org
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

Also Worth Noting:

✍🏽 Latest on Substack: Why Keeping Your Wins Quiet Protects Your Peace​

This one hit a nerve. If you’re always holding it together for everyone else, this is for you.

👉 Read the article​

📱 Short on Time? I Got You

Check out my new YouTube Shorts. These are quick, honest, and built for real life.

👉 The ONE Mistake Smart People Keep Making​

Everything you need to grow spiritually is right on your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket.

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

Moving Forward Together: Invest in Hope, Impact, and Community

How to Support Mars Hill

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from in-person gatherings to digital discipleship. If you’ve been encouraged by this ministry, here are a few simple ways to give and get involved:

Give:

Support the mission securely at marshillchicago.org/giving, in our mobile app, or by texting MHGIVE to 33777. You can also mail checks to:

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

Serve:

Use your gifts to make a difference online or in person. Visit our site to see current serving opportunities.

Pray:

Lift up our leaders, our church family, and the people we’re reaching. Prayer is a powerful form of participation.

Invite & Share:

Send this email to a friend, invite someone to service, or repost something that encouraged you. Every share matters.

You’re helping us reach people with hope, truth, and love, whether they’re across town or across the country.

🔥 Your Move This Weekend

✔️ Watch the sermon

✔️ Download the devotional

✔️ Give to what God is doing at Mars Hill

✔️ Forward this to someone who feels like they don’t have enough

With love and expectation,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

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

Happy Tuesday Reader!

Sunday’s message hit home for a lot of us.

We ran a quick poll during the livestream, and 88% of people said this one line felt most real:

Maybe that’s you, too.

You’re not doubting God. You’re just running on empty.

But here’s the good news: God sees that kind of faith. The quiet kind. The kind that shows up anyway.

I want to encourage you this week.

We’ve put together a few things to help:

✅ Sermon Replay

Missed it or need to hear it again? Watch here:

▶️ Watch the full message now on 👉 Watch on YouTube​

📖 5-Day Devotional

Start your mornings with short, powerful reminders that God is with you even when life is heavy.

👉 [Download the Devotional]

📍 Your Personal M.A.P.

Take a step this week toward healing and hope. Use the M.A.P. tool to reflect, apply, and act.

👉 [Access the M.A.P. Tool]

🛐 Need Prayer?

You don’t have to carry it alone. Let us pray for you this week.

👉 [Submit a Prayer Request]

Even when you’re tired…

Even when you feel dry…

Even when nothing changes, God is still working.

Let’s keep trusting. One step at a time.

🧭 What’s Next For Mars Hill?

We are moving decisively toward a permanent facility. When we sold our building four years ago, we trusted God’s leading.

Now, with energy costs straining many congregations, we can see how He protected us.

Instead of pouring funds into rising utilities, we’ve been able to direct resources into people, discipleship, and mission.

That choice didn’t set us back. It set us up so we can take the next step with strength, faith, and financial clarity.

Our Strategic Transition: Monthly Celebrations

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, we will be hosting our next Super Sunday Service at 10:30 AM CST.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship (In-Person & Online)

When: Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST

Where: Online at MarsHillChicago.org
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

Also Worth Noting:

✍🏽 Latest on Substack: Why Keeping Your Wins Quiet Protects Your Peace​

This one hit a nerve. If you’re always holding it together for everyone else, this is for you.

👉 Read the article​

📱 Short on Time? I Got You

Check out my new YouTube Shorts. These are quick, honest, and built for real life.

👉 The ONE Mistake Smart People Keep Making​

Everything you need to grow spiritually is right on your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket.

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

Moving Forward Together: Invest in Hope, Impact, and Community

How to Support Mars Hill

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from in-person gatherings to digital discipleship. If you’ve been encouraged by this ministry, here are a few simple ways to give and get involved:

Give:

Support the mission securely at marshillchicago.org/giving, in our mobile app, or by texting MHGIVE to 33777. You can also mail checks to:

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

Serve:

Use your gifts to make a difference online or in person. Visit our site to see current serving opportunities.

Pray:

Lift up our leaders, our church family, and the people we’re reaching. Prayer is a powerful form of participation.

Invite & Share:

Send this email to a friend, invite someone to service, or repost something that encouraged you. Every share matters.

You’re helping us reach people with hope, truth, and love, whether they’re across town or across the country.

🔥 Your Move This Weekend

✔️ Watch the sermon

✔️ Download the devotional

✔️ Give to what God is doing at Mars Hill

✔️ Forward this to someone who feels like they don’t have enough

With love and expectation,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

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

Happy Friday Reader!

Let’s be honest. Some weeks take more out of you than others.

By Friday, most people are running low. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually.

The mask is back on. The good habits are slipping. The weight feels heavier again.

If that sounds familiar, I want you to know this:

You don’t need to fake strength to stay faithful. You just need a reset.

🧠 Scripture Rese

That doesn’t mean do nothing.

It means pause long enough to hear something deeper than your anxiety.

You don’t have to grind your way back to peace.

Sometimes the most spiritual move you can make is to stop and breathe.

When You Don’t Have Enough

Key Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1–7 (NLT)

Big Idea: God multiplies what you surrender, not what you withhold.

In this message, you’ll learn:

• Why scarcity is not just about money. It’s about mindset.
• How God multiplies what you give Him, even when it feels like not enough
• The one simple step you can take when it feels like you’ve run out

This is for anyone facing financial stress, burnout, or the quiet fear of not being enough.

Whether you’re spiritually curious, a high achiever craving clarity, or just tired from carrying too much—this will speak to your Monday reality.

▶️ Watch the full message now on YouTube​

​

Church was never meant to be a buffet.

Too many people stall out spiritually, not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been handed a menu instead of a map.

This week, I taught on why your faith might feel stuck and how to get traction again.

📺 Watch the replay​

🧭 Download your personal M.A.P.​

A 4-step rhythm to help you move from listening to growing.

Everything is right here!

🧭 What’s Next For Mars Hill?

We are moving decisively toward a permanent facility. When we sold our building four years ago, we trusted God’s leading.

Now, with energy costs straining many congregations, we can see how He protected us.

Instead of pouring funds into rising utilities, we’ve been able to direct resources into people, discipleship, and mission.

That choice didn’t set us back. It set us up so we can take the next step with strength, faith, and financial clarity.

Our Strategic Transition: Monthly Celebrations

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, we will be hosting our next Super Sunday Service at 10:30 AM CST.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship (Online Only)

When: Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST

Where: Online at MarsHillChicago.org
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

Also Worth Noting:

✍🏽 Latest on Substack: Why Keeping Your Wins Quiet Protects Your Peace​

This one hit a nerve. If you’re always holding it together for everyone else, this is for you.

👉 Read the article​

📱 Short on Time? I Got You

Check out my new YouTube Shorts. These are quick, honest, and built for real life.

👉 The ONE Mistake Smart People Keep Making​

Everything you need to grow spiritually is right on your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket.

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

Moving Forward Together: Invest in Hope, Impact, and Community

How to Support Mars Hill

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from in-person gatherings to digital discipleship. If you’ve been encouraged by this ministry, here are a few simple ways to give and get involved:

Give:

Support the mission securely at marshillchicago.org/giving, in our mobile app, or by texting MHGIVE to 33777. You can also mail checks to:

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

Serve:

Use your gifts to make a difference online or in person. Visit our site to see current serving opportunities.

Pray:

Lift up our leaders, our church family, and the people we’re reaching. Prayer is a powerful form of participation.

Invite & Share:

Send this email to a friend, invite someone to service, or repost something that encouraged you. Every share matters.

You’re helping us reach people with hope, truth, and love, whether they’re across town or across the country.

🔥 Your Move This Weekend

✔️ Watch the sermon

✔️ Download the devotional

✔️ Give to what God is doing at Mars Hill

✔️ Forward this to someone who feels like they don’t have enough

With love and expectation,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

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

Happy Hump Day Reader!

I hope that you are feeling God’s love, experiencing real peace, and sensing the strength of our community around you today.

As we move forward together, let’s keep encouraging one another, trusting in faith and hope, no matter where life takes us.

Sunday’s service was a clear reminder of the power that comes when we show up for each other. God’s presence was felt, faith was stirred, and your kindness made a real impact.

Teaching Highlight: Sermon Replay – “You’re Going to the Other Side”

Teaching Highlight: This Storm Can’t Stop You

If the enemy can’t sink you, he’ll try to scare you.

This week, I shared a powerful word from Mark 4, reminding us that storms don’t cancel God’s promises; they reveal His power.

What You’ll Learn

• Why Jesus sometimes lets the storm rise (Mark 4:35–37)
• The danger of bringing old crowds into new seasons (Mark 4:36)
• How fear blinds us to what faith already knows (Mark 4:38–40)
• Why Jesus doesn’t just calm storms? He questions our faith so it can grow (Mark 4:41)

📺 Watch the full message and find peace in your storm on YouTube.

Church was never meant to be a buffet.

Too many people stall out spiritually, not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been handed a menu instead of a map.

This week, I taught on why your faith might feel stuck and how to get traction again.

📺 Watch the replay​

🧭 Download your personal M.A.P.​

A 4-step rhythm to help you move from listening to growing.

Everything is right here!

🧭 What’s Next For Mars Hill?

We are moving decisively toward a permanent facility. When we sold our building four years ago, we trusted God’s leading.

Now, with energy costs straining many congregations, we can see how He protected us.

Instead of pouring funds into rising utilities, we’ve been able to direct resources into people, discipleship, and mission.

That choice didn’t set us back. It set us up so we can take the next step with strength, faith, and financial clarity.

Our Strategic Transition: Monthly Celebrations

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, we will be hosting our next Super Sunday Service at 10:30 AM CST.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship (Online Only)

When: Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST

Where: Online at MarsHillChicago.org
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

Also Worth Noting:

✍🏽 Latest on Substack: Why I Stopped Trying to Fix Broken People.

This one hit a nerve. If you’re always holding it together for everyone else, this is for you.

👉 Read the article​

📱 Short on Time? I Got You

Check out my new YouTube Shorts. These are quick, honest, and built for real life.

👉 youtube.com/@ClarenceStowersTV/shorts​

Everything you need to grow spiritually is right on your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket.

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

Moving Forward Together: Invest in Hope, Impact, and Community

We’re at a pivotal moment in our church’s journey.

As part of our community, you know we’re more than just Sunday gatherings; we’re about creating lasting impact.

Your support helps us extend a helping hand, create meaningful worship experiences, invest in our kids and teens, and build spaces for real connection.

We’re not just building a church; we’re creating a home where people find hope, healing, and a sense of purpose.

This special campaign ensures we can continue to grow our ministries both online and in-person, while our regular tithes and offerings secure our physical space.

How You Can Be Part of This Journey

We’re aiming to raise $20,000 by summer through our Moving Forward Together initiative. Specifically, we’re hoping for:

• 30 people to contribute $500
• 50 people to contribute $300

These funds will directly enhance our Sunday worship space, cover our weekly expenses, launch new youth and children’s programs, and create consistent mid-week gatherings that strengthen our community.

​Be Part of the Future – Give Today!

How to Support Mars Hill

Your generosity fuels everything we do, from in-person gatherings to digital discipleship. If you’ve been encouraged by this ministry, here are a few simple ways to give and get involved:

Give:

Support the mission securely at marshillchicago.org/giving, in our mobile app, or by texting MHGIVE to 33777. You can also mail checks to:

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

Serve:

Use your gifts to make a difference online or in person. Visit our site to see current serving opportunities.

Pray:

Lift up our leaders, our church family, and the people we’re reaching. Prayer is a powerful form of participation.

Invite & Share:

Send this email to a friend, invite someone to service, or repost something that encouraged you. Every share matters.

You’re helping us reach people with hope, truth, and love, whether they’re across town or across the country.

With love and expectation,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

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