Largest church service in the Northwest

An estimated 17,500 worshipers met at Qwest Field in Seattle for the largest church service to ever take place in the Northwest.

While Seahawks fans might be used to saying a prayer or two at Qwest, Sunday’s service was under the direction of Mars Hill Pastor Mark Driscoll. His sermon was “on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most important and influential man who has ever lived.”

Along with the Easter service, 682 baptisms took place.

Mars Hill Easter 2011 at Qwest Field before the doors were opened to 17,500 people. Below, one of the baptisms. Photos courtesy Mars Hill Facebook page.

Mars Hill has its critics. Some call Pastor Driscoll’s teachings puritanical or chauvinistic. But the church defends itself by saying, “The church challenges men to be men. We teach men to get a wife and cultivate a legacy, not just spend their 20s and 30s wasting away on X-box and bars.”