Happy Hump Day Reader

Have you ever felt like your faith had a mute button?

You believe in God. You want to do what’s right. But in moments that matter most, it’s easy to stay silent to shrink back, keep the peace, or convince yourself that someone else will speak up.

This week’s message wasn’t about noise. It was about clarity about finding your voice in a world full of chaos, compromise, and confusion. Because the truth is:

God didn’t save you to keep you safe. He called you to speak.

If you missed Sunday or just need to sit with the word again, we’ve got the replay, devotional, and highlights all inside this email.

Let’s get into it.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship Experience (“Pull up” or “Log on” This Sunday)
When: Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM Central
​Where: In-Person at 7941 47th St, McCook, IL 60525​
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

📖 Teaching Highlight

Sermon Title: This Is Why Your Voice Feels Powerless… Until You Speak

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 31:8, Luke 4:18-19

This week’s message reminded us that silence is not spiritual, it’s surrender.

When injustice rises and the church stays quiet, we don’t reflect Jesus; we resist Him.

Jesus didn’t save you to sit. He anointed you to speak for the crushed, the forgotten, the overlooked.

If you’ve ever felt like your voice didn’t matter, this message flips that lie on its head.

🎥 Watch the replay + begin the 5-Day Devotional:

🎥 Watch the Replay on YouTube or our Website​

Midweek Encouragement

You do not have to earn God’s presence.

You just need to stop long enough to recognize it.

The world might be spinning.

The pressure might be heavy.

But strength isn’t found in doing more. It’s found in trusting deeper.

Take a moment this week. Be still. Listen.

You are not surviving on your own strength.

God is sustaining you with His.

Also Worth Noting:

We just wrapped our latest teaching series: Church Explained.

Ever wonder why we “do church” the way we do?

Why do we sing, why do we listen to sermons, why do we pray, and give?

It’s not random, and it’s not routine.

This series breaks down the biblical why behind worship, preaching, prayer, prophetic witness & boldness, and generosity.

Our Teaching Team walks us through each element, showing how every part of the church is designed to shape your soul, not just fill a seat.

🎥 Watch the full Church Explained series here.

Lastly, check out my latest Substack article: “This Is Why Your Voice Feels Powerless… Until You Speak.”

In this sermon, I explore why silence isn’t always spiritual, and how staying quiet in the face of injustice can slowly erode your influence and clarity.

One More Thing…

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

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

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

In conclusion, let’s discuss our Moving Forward Together Campaign. 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 create lasting impact. Your support helps us:

• Extend help to those in need
• Create meaningful worship experiences
• Invest in our kids and teens through vibrant ministry programs
• Build spaces for real connection

We’re building a church, not just a physical space. This special campaign ensures we can continue growing our ministries online and in-person.

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 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 “Pull up” or “Log on” with us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰

Happy Tuesday Reader,

Ever feel like life is moving faster than your soul can process?

Like the headlines scream louder than your prayers?

You’re not alone.

This week, we’re returning to the One who offers steady peace in a shaky world.

No hype. No pressure. Just hope.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship Experience (“Pull up” or “Log on” This Sunday)
When: Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM Central
​Where: In-Person at 7941 47th St McCook, IL 60525​
​Watch on Facebook: @MarsHillChicago​
Watch on YouTube: ClarenceStowersTV​

📖 Teaching Highlight

Sermon Title: When the World Feels Like It’s Falling Apart

Scripture Focus: John 14:27

This week’s message reminded us that panic may be loud, but peace speaks to those who slow down and listen. Jesus never promised a life without trouble.

He promised a peace the world can’t give and chaos can’t cancel. If your mind has been racing or your heart has been heavy, this message is for you.

Watch it again and share it with someone who needs a steady word in a shaky world.

🎥 Watch the Replay on YouTube or our Website​

Midweek Encouragement

You do not have to chase peace.

You just need to stop long enough to receive it.

The news might be loud.

The pace might be fast.

But peace is not found in the absence of noise. It is found in the presence of God.

Take a moment this week. Breathe. Pray.

You are not holding yourself together by willpower.

God is holding you by grace.

Also Worth Noting:

We also launched a new YouTube playlist: Real Faith for Real Life.

Faith isn’t just for Sundays. It’s for broken relationships, anxiety, decision-making, and more. This playlist offers real talk, biblical wisdom, and practical steps to grow your faith.

Lastly, check out my latest Substack article: “Not Every Voice Deserves Volume: How I Handle Unsolicited Advice.”

This article explores how you can protect your peace and purpose by discerning which voices deserve influence and why not all advice, no matter how well-meaning or loud, is worth following.

Pressed for time? Try our 2-minute devotional. It’s designed for busy professionals on the go. It’s part of our digital discipleship strategy:

👉 Start the Devotional​

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

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

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

In conclusion, let’s discuss our Moving Forward Together Campaign. 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 create lasting impact. Your support helps us:

• Extend help to those in need
• Create meaningful worship experiences
• Invest in our kids and teens through vibrant ministry programs
• Build spaces for real connection

We’re building a church, not just a physical space. This special campaign ensures we can continue growing our ministries online and in-person.

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 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 “Pull up” or “Log on” with us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰

Happy Hump Day!

Every time we gather, whether in person or online, we prove that church is not about the building.

It is about the people who show up, stay faithful, and keep building something that lasts.

This Sunday is fully online, and I hope you will lean in, not log off. Our hybrid vision only works when each of us chooses to stay connected.

Here’s What You Need to Know This Week:

What: Sunday Worship Experience (Online Only)

When: Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM Central

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

Also Worth Noting:

Min. Marcie Wilson’s sermon reminded us that God is not just powerful. He is personal. If you missed it, take time to hear the message: Watch the replay.

We also launched a new YouTube playlist: Bold Prayers That Still Work. It is full of practical, faith-building messages for anyone ready to pray with confidence and expectation.

Lastly, check out my latest Substack article: “Be Famous Where It Matters Most”. Applause fades, but your presence at home echoes forever.

Pressed for time? Try our 2-minute devotional. It’s designed for busy professionals on the go. It’s part of our digital discipleship strategy:

👉 Start the Devotional​

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

⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

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

In conclusion, I want to talk about something close to all our hearts: our Moving Forward Together Campaign.

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

As someone who’s chosen to be part of our community, you know we’re more than just Sunday gatherings; we’re about creating lasting impact in people’s lives.

Your support does something remarkable. It helps us:

• Extend a helping hand to those who need it most
• Create meaningful worship experiences (both online and in-person)
• Invest in our kids and teens through vibrant ministry programs
• Build spaces where real connection happens

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

And here’s the exciting part: while our regular tithes and offerings will go toward securing our own physical space, this special campaign will ensure we can continue growing our ministries both online and in-person.

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 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! ⏰

Happy Monday Reader,

I’ve been working on something I wish I had years ago. It’s called the 1% Better Executive Coach, a simple, AI-powered assistant built for people who think fast, lead big, and still wrestle with clarity.

Before I finalize it, I want your input.

👉 Would you use this kind of tool to help you focus, prioritize, or make better decisions?

Your response will help me know if this is something worth building out fully. Thanks for being part of this process.

I value your voice.

​

Here’s to your success,

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

Happy Hump Day!

Still Here. Still Holding It Down.

This Sunday, we are honoring a kind of strength that does not always get celebrated.

The quiet kind. The consistent kind.

The strength of the father who stayed when it would have been easier to leave.

The mentor who showed up without needing to be asked.

The man who did not have an example, so he chose to become one.

Not everyone had that.

Some are grieving what they never received.

Others are trying to become what they never saw.

Whether you are carrying a father wound or a father legacy, there is a place for you here.

Come worship with us. Bring your heart. Bring your healing. Bring your story.

This Sunday at Mars Hill Anywhere:

📍 In-Person at 7941 47th St, McCook, IL

🕥 10:30 AM CT

💻 Watch Online:

YouTube → youtube.com/@ClarenceStowersTV​

Facebook → facebook.com/MarsHillChicago/live​

This Week’s Message to Encourage You:

“Built to Stay”

You do not have to be loud to be strong.

This message is for the men who held it together when everything was falling apart. For the fathers who stayed even when it hurt. For the ones who did not have an example but decided to become one.

This Sunday, we are calling strength what it really is: steady. Show up, stand firm, and discover the kind of faith that does not flinch.

Also Worth Noting:

1. Missed last Sunday? Catch the replay here: Here’s Why Your Invitation Could Change Everything​
   ​
2. TikTok is today’s modern-day well. Watch: The System Was Built for Their Comfort, Not Your Survival in 90 seconds → Watch on TikTok​
   ​
3. I write weekly on Substack to help you get 1% better every day. Read my latest article: “Don’t Let Life Kill Your Love”​
   ​
4. Pressed for time? Try our 2-minute devotional. It’s designed for busy professionals on the go. It’s part of our digital discipleship strategy: 👉 Start the Devotional​
   ​
5. Everything you need to grow spiritually right from your phone. We call it #ChurchInYourPocket. ⬇️ Download the Mars Hill App​

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

In conclusion, let’s discuss our Moving Forward Together Campaign.

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 create lasting impact.

Your support helps us:

• Extend help to those in need
• Create meaningful worship experiences
• Invest in our kids and teens through vibrant ministry programs
• Build spaces for real connection

We’re building a church, not just a physical space.

This special campaign ensures we can continue growing our ministries online and in-person.

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 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 “Pull up” or “Log on” with us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰