For over 60 children and adults, a dip into the Sound was a warm, spiritual experience, even though some got cold feet. During a recent Thursday sunset at Golden Gardens Park, a baptism celebration was attended by Mars Hill Church members. The baptisms were preceded by a barbeque dinner, live music, and testimonies on stage.

Several stood before a crowd of hundreds to say they were newly converted to Christianity as a result of diversity in their personal lives. Some sited drug addiction, others pointed to troubled childhoods in the face of divorce and hostility in their homes. One young adult said he was simply "lost" until now.

In Athens, Mars Hill is located below the Acropolis. It is believed by some Christians that the Apostle Paul gave a famous speech there.

In Seattle, Mars Hill Church was founded in 1996 and has five locations, including Ballard and West Seattle, and over 7000 members.