Nine Things to Like About the Albuquerque Campus
Thirteen years ago, my wife was part of the beginning of Mars Hill Church. Last month, she joined me on a trip to Albuquerque to witness the launch of our first out-of-state campus.
As we stepped off the plane, God’s grace was overwhelming, and the experience brought tears to our eyes. I can think of at least nine specific reasons why:
Pastor Dave Bruskas
Mars Hill Albuquerque is blessed with a humble, gifted servant-leader in Pastor Dave. He is a wise and gracious man of God with an incredible vision and passion to reach the men who are leaving a tragic mess of broken homes and families in their city.
Pastor Dave’s Family
Pastor Dave’s four girls are funny, gracious, and they adore their dad. His wife Kara is awesome, an exemplary woman of God. We stayed with the Bruskases, and they are a fun, uniquely gifted family that loves Jesus very much.
Regional Connections
I met one guy at the campus who had driven over from Arizona where he shows Mars Hill sermons at a prison. He was visiting Albuquerque to see what God is doing in Southwest and how he can continue to partner with Mars Hill. He said the men in prison are responding profoundly to Pastor Mark’s teaching. Prison campuses? I love it.
Family Baptisms
About two dozen people got baptized on the first official day of Mars Hill Albuquerque. I saw a father baptize his four kids—three daughters and one son. It was beautiful to see a whole family that loves Jesus and kids who are serving him from a very young age.
Pastor Dave’s Dad
Tom Bruskas is the nicest, most helpful greeter I’ve ever met. He opens the door for everybody who shows up, and he was there to lend a hand before and after service as the first to arrive and the last to leave. He needs to run a training program for greeters because I’ve never seen anyone do it better.
Families from Seattle
I met one family who moved to New Mexico from Washington. They were at the Bellevue campus one week, and in the Albuquerque congregation the next, already blessed with community in their new home.
The Press
Launch day provided many opportunities to talk about Jesus and connect with the local media. God’s favor was abundant.
Sunshine, Chile, Lighting…
Though many cultural parallels exist between Albuquerque and Seattle, it was great to experience a taste of what makes New Mexico unique. It’s always a tough choice between red and green chile, sometimes I can’t decide and settle for both—what the locals call “Christmas.”
The Lobo Theater
The venue for Mars Hill Albuquerque is a very cool space with a fascinating history. I love seeing what used to be a theater where segragation was practiced now be a place where God is reconciling the nations to himself through the work of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
I’m looking forward to many more fond memories of Albuquerque as God builds his church throughout the region.
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Mars Hill Global
