EVERETT — Foundation Church will be the new name of Mars Hill Everett, the lead pastor announced Monday. The church in the old armory building downtown will become independent as the Seattle-based megachurch founded by Mark Driscoll disbands.
“Welcome to Foundation Church,” Pastor Ryan Williams told his flock at a meeting Monday night.
He told the nearly full church that articles of incorporation would be filed Tuesday with the Washington Secretary of State. The organization will apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service, a process Williams said may take about six months to complete.
Mars Hill, an empire that grew to more than a dozen churches, announced the decision to disband Oct. 31. That followed the resignation of Driscoll, the church’s controversial leader. He had been under investigation by Mars Hill elders for his leadership style and other issues.
Williams said Foundation Church should be able to stay in its building at 2730 Oakes Ave., which Mars Hill bought in 2012. The mortgage, with Evangelical Christian Credit Union, is less than $1 million, he said. Members were told that Mars Hill Church has many assets and will transfer equity to churches becoming independent.
Mars Hill will cease to exist Dec. 31. Williams told followers that Foundation Church will “start with a clean slate.” They were asked to be faithful, to continue to attend and contribute, and were told that a process of becoming Foundation Church members will start in the new year.
Foundation Church will be led by a team of elders — Williams and three others, each with equal influence. Bible-teaching, service to the community and international missions will be priorities, he said.
“This church is built on one man, and his name is Jesus,” Williams said.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
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