Gender
Female
Which describes your role at Mars Hill?
Regular Attender
What Mars Hill location(s) did you attend?
Bellevue, Downtown Seattle
What years were you involved / attending?
2012, 2013, 2014
How did you first hear about Mars Hill?
I had family attend.
What was the circumstance of your first time attending Mars HIll?
I went to church with my brother and his now wife - then girlfriend.
What were your first impressions?
Good music. Gospel preaching. Loud.
Why was Mars Hill your church home?
Because I had recently moved and knew someone going there. I didn't like going to new churches by myself.
What about your time at Mars Hill has had a positive impact on you?
It really wasn't a positive place to for me. I learned some songs that I love to this day, and I was baptized there, so I guess those would be the positives.
What about your time at Mars Hill has had a negative impact on you?
I probably ended up walking out on Mark about 5 times because of how he approached a few topics including mental illness, sexuality, and what it means to be a man. I found him to be insensitive and verbally abusive at times. I didn't really get involved so I didn't experience some of the negatives I've heard other people share. It was a big church that made it easy to hide, and I didn't really let many people get to know me.
What would you like to have changed about Mars Hill?
You know, I think a healthier leader/leaders would have made a big difference. There were a lot of people in that church who really loved Jesus and that was cool, but I don't think it was a healthy church because of the leadership.
Which describes you?
I left Mars Hill prior to closure.
Please describe why you left Mars Hill and what that experience was like.
Well, I knew that I would never be comfortable being a member at Mars Hill. Then things just kind of happened. The car I drove needed some repairs and I had a loaner, but didn't want to drive a bigger, loaner car that I didn't know in the parking garage. So I ended up going to a different church that week, and just kept going there.
How would you describe the reason for Mars Hill's closure to an outsider.
I think it would depend whether I was talking to an unbeliever or another Christian. It would vary.