Today we introduce to you Nancy Schmidt, who has joined the staff team at Mars Hill Bellevue and will be leading our Women’s Discipleship Midweek Study, which begins this February. Pastor Thomas spent some time with Nancy, getting a grasp on her story and how Jesus has equipped her to lead the women of Mars Hill Bellevue.

Pastor Thomas: Tell us a little bit about your testimony, your marriage, and your family.

Nancy Schmidt: My husband and I started at the Ballard building in June 2005 – at the time it was the only Mars Hill location. I became a Christian in 1987, just a few months after my husband was saved. We had been married 5 years at the time, and had 3 sons. We were delivered from a lifestyle of drug and alcohol abuse and by His grace, we have walked with Jesus every day since then. My husband Tom and I have now been married for thirty years. We raised our family in Maple Valley, WA but currently reside in Renton. Our sons are grown men now, two are married and we have three delightful grandchildren.

Pastor Thomas: How did you end up attending Mars Hill Church?

Nancy Schmidt: We came to Mars Hill one summer evening with a friend, curious to know more about it from the little we had heard. We had not realized how starved we were for the true Word of God until that night, as Jesus had been absent for some time in the teaching at the church we were attending. We were stunned at the way that Jesus was center and foremost at Mars Hill. After a couple of months of “double dipping” with another church, we began to feel the conviction to be committed to one church or the other. God slowly pulled us out of our responsibilities at our other church, and we felt free to make the move to Mars Hill the next summer, in 2006.

Pastor Thomas: How have you been serving at Mars Hill Church, and what prepares you to lead the Women’s Discipleship Midweek Study?

Nancy Schmidt: My first volunteer position was as an administrator for the Biblical Living department at Ballard. Shortly thereafter, I came on staff as the Redemption Groups Administrator, working with Pastor Mike Wilkerson until mid-2009 when I felt God calling me to be more available to serve my family. My husband and I have lead Redemption Groups in Ballard and West Seattle, and I have been part of a leader team that has traveled to lead at Redemption Immersion Training conferences in several US cities. I have also served as a volunteer Biblical counselor. I am excited to serve at Mars Hill Bellevue as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator, and I am looking forward to getting to know the women here and seeing what our gracious savior Jesus has in store for all of us through this new ministry.

Stay tuned for more information about Women’s Discipleship at Mars Hill Bellevue. We’ll be launching midweek study opportunities beginning in February. For more information email bellevuewomen@marshill.com.