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Continuing the Legacy: The Next Chapter of Mars Hill Revealed! 🎁

Continuing the Legacy: The Next Chapter of Mars Hill Revealed! 🎁

by | Oct 6, 2023 | Black History Month, Christian, Christianity, Empowerment, Encouragement, Excellence, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Prayer, Sunday Worship Experience

Welcome back to the unfolding story of Mars Hill Baptist Church, a sanctuary that has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, and community in the heart of Chicago for over six decades. 

If you joined us for Part 1, you already know Mars Hill is no ordinary church. It's a living testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together, united by faith and driven by a vision. 

As we dive into Part 2 of this compelling series, prepare to be inspired by the church's innovative outreach, transformative leadership, and bold steps into the future. 

Whether you're a long-time member or new to our community, what you're about to read will deepen your understanding of Mars Hill's enduring legacy and its exciting path forward.

Mars Hill Baptist Church: Continuing the Legacy

In our previous post, we embarked on a journey through the early days of Mars Hill Baptist Church, a sanctuary of faith, hope, and community nestled in the heart of Chicago. As we delve deeper into this continuation, we'll uncover more facets of this remarkable institution, highlighting its growth, outreach, and the modern touches that make it a beacon in Chicago's religious landscape.

Innovative Outreach: Beyond the Church Walls 

Mars Hill's vision has always transcended its physical boundaries. One of its groundbreaking initiatives was the bus ministry, a transformative outreach inspired by Jack Hyles and the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. This wasn't merely a transport service; it was a mission to bring children from the inner city to Sunday school, planting seeds of faith and hope. By 1982, Mars Hill's commitment to education and community led to the inception of a school, resulting in a surge in membership, reaching about 850 souls by 1992.

Transition and Transformation: A New Era 

The dawn of the late 1990s heralded a significant transition for Mars Hill. With the leadership baton passed, Clarence E. Stowers, Jr., the founder's son, emerged as a beacon of youthful energy and innovation. The untimely passing of Rev. Stowers Sr. in 1999 propelled the younger Stowers into leadership, marking a revitalization, growth, and transformation period for Mars Hill.

Diversifying Ministries: Catering to a Dynamic Congregation 

Mars Hill expanded its horizons under Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.'s visionary leadership. By spring 2001, the church had birthed several new ministries. Mars Hill was moving from the Basketball ministry for sports enthusiasts to the Music ministry for budding talents. One standout event was the "Taste of Mars Hill," a testament to Mars Hill's commitment to community, faith, and fellowship.

Embracing Modernity: A Progressive Approach 

While Mars Hill Baptist Church is steeped in tradition, it has always been forward-thinking. Recognizing the evolving dynamics of worship and the diverse needs of its congregation, the church made bold moves. Shorter, concise services were introduced, and the traditional pulpit was removed, symbolizing Mars Hill's commitment to blending tradition with modern worship methods.

Looking Ahead: The Dawn of Mars Hill Anywhere 

Mars Hill recognized the need to evolve as the world became more interconnected and digital. The church began envisioning a model to cater to its in-person congregation and growing online community. This vision led to "Mars Hill Anywhere," a hybrid church model that seamlessly blends physical and digital worship experiences. This innovative approach ensures that no matter where someone is, they can be a part of the Mars Hill community, partaking in worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.

Conclusion: A Legacy Continued and a Glimpse into the Future 

As we wrap up this second installment on Mars Hill Baptist Church, it's evident that its journey is a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, faith, and community outreach. From its humble beginnings in 1963 to its current hybrid model, Mars Hill continues to inspire and nurture souls.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where we'll delve deeper into the evolution of "Mars Hill Anywhere" and explore how the church has seamlessly transitioned into a hybrid model, catering to its in-person and online communities.

For a deeper dive into Mars Hill Baptist Church and its myriad programs and initiatives, visit ​www.marshillchicago.org​.

Celebrating Six Decades of Faithful Service

As we reflect on the remarkable 60-year journey of Mars Hill Baptist Church, it's evident that our legacy is not just built on bricks and mortar but on faith, dedication, and community. Our history is a tapestry of countless stories, prayers, and miracles; each of you is an integral thread.

This Sunday, we commemorate our past and ignite our future. Whether you've been with us since day one or just getting to know us, we invite you to be part of this milestone celebration.

Join us in person or tune in online at 10:30 AM Central for our 60th-anniversary service. Let's honor the legacy, celebrate the present, and anticipate the boundless possibilities that await.

Key Dates and Links:

⏰: ​Next In-Person Service is Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 10:30 AM Central​ @ 7941 47th St. McCook, IL 10:30 AM 

📺: YouTube (ClarenceStowersTV)

🖥: My Facebook Creator Page

🖥: Facebook Live (Mars Hill Chicago's Page)

🐦: Twitter (@MarsHillBC)

💕 Support Us - ​ Click here to support Mars Hill and help us continue reaching people worldwide​. 

📲: Text MHGIVE from your phone/mobile device to 33777, follow the prompts, and give. 

🎯: ​ Join our Facebook Group​.

We eagerly anticipate the joy of worshiping with you online on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 10:30 AM Central. 

Remember, regardless of how you choose to participate—whether in person or online—the power of our collective worship transcends physical boundaries, uniting us as one body in Christ.

Be there. Be part of the legacy. Let's write the next chapter of Mars Hill together.

Let's celebrate!

🔮 THE BREAKDOWN Message Rewind of Don’t Let Your ‘Not Now’ Become ‘Never’| How Obedience Changes You and the World: 🔄🎙️

🔮 THE BREAKDOWN Message Rewind of Don’t Let Your ‘Not Now’ Become ‘Never’| How Obedience Changes You and the World: 🔄🎙️

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Mars Hill Baptist Church

THE BREAKDOWN
Message Rewind

The Breakdown of
Don’t Let Your ‘Not Now’ Become ‘Never’
How Obedience Changes You and the World

Happy Monday Reader,

🎉 Exciting News Alert! 🎉 Dive into the magic of “The Breakdown | Sermon Rewind” with me! 🚀📖

Have you ever had that Sunday sermon touch your soul, only to feel its essence fade away by mid-week? 🌅 We’re about to change that!

Introducing… 🥁 The Breakdown | Sermon Rewind! It is a unique way to keep the Sunday spirit alive and kicking all week. 🌟

Imagine this: That powerful sermon? It’s now your daily compass, guiding you through life’s highs and lows. 🧭✨

📌 Here’s The Rewind” Rundown:

1️⃣ Every Monday, await a curated newsletter, distilling the essence of Sunday’s sermon. 💌

2️⃣ Dive deep into its teachings, reflections, and actionable insights. Make that message a part of your daily mantra! 🌊📜

3️⃣ Engage in soulful discussions, share your revelations, and lift each other throughout the week. 🌐💬

This isn’t just an experiment. It’s a movement. A journey to enrich our minds, fortify our online tribe, and create waves of positive change. 🌍💡

Let’s not just be Sunday-inspired. Let’s be everyday-inspired! Join the journey, and let’s elevate together! 🤗

🎥 Watch the Replay of Don’t Let Your ‘Not Now’ Become ‘Never’ | How Obedience Changes You and the World

video preview​

Sermon Overview

In the recent sermon I preached, the spotlight was on the gritty realities and sacrifices that come with being a disciple of Jesus.

Delving into chapter 8, verses 19-20, the speaker highlighted Jesus’s words to the scribes. It struck me hard when Jesus mentioned that while animals have their shelters, the Son of God doesn’t even have a resting place.

It was a profound moment, making me realize the hardships of walking in His footsteps.

But what got me pondering was the discussion around verses 21-22.

Here, an individual approached Jesus, wanting to bury his father before committing to the path. Jesus’s response? “Let the dead bury their own; you follow me.”

It was a jolting wake-up call about the sheer dedication and commitment required to be His disciple.

I tried to paint a vivid picture, saying that our journey with Jesus isn’t a quick dash but a marathon.

It’s not about fleeting moments of faith or temporary bursts of devotion. It’s a lifelong odyssey of unwavering loyalty and dedication.

I emphasized our need for spiritual alignment on this journey by drawing a parallel with a car needing a front-end alignment.

I left feeling deeply challenged, questioning the depth of my commitment. It’s clear: walking with Jesus demands a steadfast, long-term dedication. Are we up for it?

Key takeaways (YouTube Timestamps):

Key Takeaways:

  1. Faith isn’t about convenience; it’s about commitment. What are you willing to give up for Him? [08:37]
    ​
  2. Jesus expects his disciples to prioritize him above all else, even in the face of personal loss or hardship [09:21]
    ​
  3. Walking with Jesus isn’t a pit stop; it’s the journey. Are you in for the long haul? [10:40]
    ​
  4. Spiritual alignment is necessary in our journey with Jesus, just like a car needs a front-end alignment to move in the right direction [10:03]

Daily Devotional

Day 1: Discipleship isn’t defined by luxury but by loyalty. Where’s your allegiance when comfort calls?​
​
Being a disciple of Jesus is not a path of comfort and ease. It requires sacrifices, sometimes even giving up the comforts of a home or family obligations. Jesus, the Son of God, had nowhere to lay his head. As followers of Christ, we are called to prioritize our commitment to Him above all else [08:37].
​
Luke 9:57-62 – “As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'”
​
​Reflection: What comforts or obligations are you holding onto that might hinder your total commitment to following Jesus?
​
​Day 2: God’s call isn’t a rain check; it’s an urgent invitation. Why wait when destiny calls now?
​​
Jesus’s response to the man who wanted to bury his father first before following Him may seem harsh, but it underscores the urgency of the Gospel. The call to follow Jesus is immediate and pressing, not something to be postponed for later [09:21].
​
Matthew 8:21-22 – “Another disciple said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'”
​
​Reflection: Do you prioritize things in your life over the immediate call of the Gospel?
​
​Day 3: Without alignment with God, we lose our true north. Are you guided by His compass or drifting aimlessly?​
​
Just like a car needs alignment to move in the right direction, our spiritual lives need alignment with God’s will. Without this alignment, we may veer off God’s path [10:03].
​
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
​
​Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God’s alignment?
​
​Day 4: Faith isn’t about how fast you start but how strong you finish. Ready for the lifelong race?
​
Following Jesus is not a sprint; it’s a lifelong marathon. It’s not about quick fixes or temporary commitments but a long-term, enduring dedication to living out His teachings [10:40].
​
Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
​
Reflection: How can you cultivate endurance in your spiritual journey?
​
​Day 5: Spiritual depth isn’t a momentary patch; it’s ongoing construction. Are you settling for the surface or digging deeper?​
​
In our fast-paced world, we often look for quick fixes to our problems. But when it comes to our spiritual lives, quick fixes don’t cut it. True transformation requires time, patience, and persistent faith.
​
James 1:4 – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
​
​Reflection: What ‘quick fixes’ have you been relying on in your spiritual life that you need to replace with enduring faith and patience?

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Why It’s Frustrating Leading Today’s Church and What to Do About It

Why It’s Frustrating Leading Today’s Church and What to Do About It

by | Nov 30, 2021 | Christian, Christianity, Decisions, Empowerment, Encouragement, Leadership, Motivation

Church leaders, are you sensing something but can’t quite put your finger on it? Perhaps you’re feeling it’s becoming harder to lead. I want to talk about how we can change a culture. To do this, we need to understand it first.

We sometimes believe we have a problem when we don’t. We have a word for that, and it’s called being misdiagnosed, and it’s something we must avoid in our efforts to reach people. To reach the post-Covid and post-Christian West, we must first understand it thoroughly.

As you know, the world is shifting at a rapid pace. In this post, I’d like to focus on cultural changes taking place right under our noses. In other words, let me explain the mindset of the people who attend our churches and why it’s difficult leading them.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

The People We Lead Prefer Individual Freedom and Happiness.

Lately, people are splitting into groups aligned with their self-interests. People are more interested in themselves and what they think of themselves. They don’t care about what other people think of them anymore. These days, it’s all about us.

People are more interested in themselves and what they think of themselves. They don’t care about what other people think of them anymore. These days, it’s all about us.



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The Bible established the standard for ethics, what people thought, how they behaved, and what they valued in the past. Experiences, wants, preferences, and emotions have taken their place.

For example, married people might say, “I feel like something has changed.” And they might think that means they should get divorced. But sometimes, couples can work it out because their feelings change back again. That’s why the divorce rate is five times what it was 50 years ago.

Furthermore, people will say, “I believe in God,” but they won’t attend church because it is old-fashioned and too traditional. Why? Because self has been elevated above God.

I have a friend who fights for Black Lives Matter. She’s also sexually liberated and doesn’t believe in God. She is like, “I am not going to listen to what you want me to do with my body, but I will tell you what you can do regarding Black Lives Matter.

The contradiction is confusing. Some people do not want to be judged on what they do. But on social media, everyone seems to judge other people. They’re wannabe moralists.

As church leaders, we need to be able to push against this trend and make a difference.

Anything or Anyone That Restrict Freedom, Happiness, And Self-Expression Are Cancelled.

In the west, many people don’t think religion is important. They believe that they can make their own religion. This may be because they don’t like the way authority structures work. People want to do what they want to do and not follow anyone else, so many churches are having a hard time in today’s world. That mindset doesn’t adhere to the fact that Jesus is Lord.

When we say, “Jesus is Lord,” it’s about how we listen and obey what Jesus tells us. We know what we believe, but we must also follow his instructions. 

Moreover, Christianity is not about winning. It is about obeying. We preach that you can be a winner in Christianity, but the truth is that it’s about following something that goes beyond you. This can make your self-fulfillment challenging.

We preach that you can be a winner in Christianity, but the truth is that it’s about following something that goes beyond you. 



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What’s Next?

Expand your thinking beyond the church and your building. Think Mission.

The church is not meant to be a sanctuary, but rather it’s called the mission field. The goal should shift from building our faith within bricks and mortar walls; instead, let us strive for more than believing in something without seeing its results on earth–we need active participation that impacts lives around us!

The church is not meant to be a sanctuary, but rather it’s called the mission field. 



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If you are a church leader or pastor, this post should explain why leading in today’s climate can be challenging. The people we lead prefer individual freedom and happiness instead of being told what they should do by an authority figure. This means that many churches are having trouble attracting members who want the gospel message of Jesus as Lord but not as Savior with all its restrictions on their behavior.

So, in short, people today don’t want to be restricted by authority structures – including the church. They want to do what they want to do and not follow anyone else. 

However, this doesn’t mean that we should give up. We need to preach that Jesus is Lord and that our Faith is not about winning in life but following Him. We also need to be obedient to Him and not just do what we want. This will be a challenge in today’s society, but it’s one that we need to overcome.

Why Did We Choose ‘Mars Hill’ As Our Name?

Why Did We Choose ‘Mars Hill’ As Our Name?

by | Jan 2, 2012 | regular

When I tell people the name of our church, People often look at me with a blank stare. That stare says: “Why in the world would you choose Mars Hill for the name of your church?” Scripture says:

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

Out of all the Names Available, Why did we Choose “Mars Hill?”

Before we begin to understand where Mars Hill is going, we must first know where we originated. The Areopagus or Areios Pagos is the “Hill of Ares” or Mars Hill. It is located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens. The Areopagus (Mars Hill in Latin), like most city-state institutions, continued to function in Roman times, and it was there, the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “the Unknown God.”

As a traveling apostle, Paul’s custom was to preach the gospel, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4). Paul was smart enough to know the importance of relating the gospel to different people and when working with the Gentiles, he employed different methods and language to convey the same gospel. A good example of this, was in his approach on Mars Hill (Acts 17:16-34).

Athens had been the home to Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great; it possessed a proud heritage as one of the greatest cultural centers in the history of the world. As Paul first entered Athens, he was burdened by the great need of a people who had unparalleled philosophy, literature, art, and education; but lacked Jesus. As he made the five-mile walk into town, he was troubled by the numerous idols that littered the land. Upon seeing this, he longed for the transformation of Athens.

After proclaiming the gospel to the Jews, in the synagogue, he continued his proclamation in the Agora marketplace; where vendors, farmers, healers, magicians, performers, and philosophers collected in the open courtyard, which served as the gathering place for the city. It was also the easiest place to draw a crowd.

Since the Athenians had never heard about the Jesus, whom Paul was preaching about, they brought him before the Areopagus (“Mars Hill” in Latin), which was the Athenian court of perhaps thirty philosophers, who sat as judges of Athens. The judges were entrusted with guarding Athenian philosophy by evaluating any new ideas brought into the city. Paul stood before the court in the same place where Socrates had defended his own teachings some 450 years earlier.

They asked Paul to explain his teachings, and a crowd gathered to hear the exchange. The scene, equivalent to how someone might be questioned on today’s “Oprah” television show. Courageously, Paul stood alone to proclaim the gospel, beginning by respectfully establishing common ground with his listeners, in an effort to work from their culture to the Scriptures. This method was the reverse of his approach, taken in the synagogue, where he worked from the Scriptures to the culture. He noted that the Athenians were a spiritual people, as was he. But, he also noted that their spirituality did not include an understanding of who God is.

Mars Hill Today – Our Church

Research today, shows how the emerging generation is very spiritual; believing in God, and committed to a life of prayer. However, when you ask them “what they think about God,” their answers are very Athenian. They study and believe in God and speak of Him, but have no idea who He is.

Today, we live in our own Mars Hill, as do all of God’s people. Surrounding us are multitudes of lost people, who hold false notions of spirituality, God, and salvation. Many of them, unfortunately, believe they are Christians.

The Mars Hill Church of Chicago continues the tradition of making Christ known to a world, who has no idea who God is.

We do this by leveraging the innovation and technology given to us by our Creator for the Glory of God. I’m proud of our name! What you call yourself and what you allow others to call you over and over will have a measurable impact on your life.