God Is Still Moving in Portland: 4 Encouraging Signs Every Church Leader Needs to See

Send us a textIt’s easy to feel discouraged leading a church or ministry in the Pacific Northwest. The season is long, the headlines are heavy, and the challenges are real.But in this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, we pause to do something intentional: name where God is clearly at work in Portland right now.Hosts Gabe Kolstad and Tim Osborn share real, on-the-ground stories of gospel movement they are seeing across the Portland–Vancouver metro area. From student-led faith movements in public schools to patient church planters taking root for the long haul, this conversation is meant to bring perspective, courage, and hope.In this episode, we cover:A surprising resurgence of Christian high school and middle school clubs and student-led evangelismHow unconventional leadership training is emerging across churches and networksWhy church mergers are becoming a healthy, kingdom-minded strategy instead of a failure storyThe rise of patient, long-term church planters who are learning the city before launchingWhat these trends reveal about unity, trust, and collaboration among Portland pastorsThis episode is especially for:Church planters and pastors in urban or post-Christian contextsMinistry leaders feeling weary or discouragedAnyone asking, “Is God still moving here?”We’d love to hear what you are seeing.Leave a comment on YouTube or email [email protected] and share your own God sightings in the Pacific Northwest.Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, and share this with someone who needs encouragement today.Visit UpperLeftShow.com for bonus content, resources, and ways to connect with others pursuing gospel multiplication in our region.#JesusInTheUpperLeft #ChurchLeadership #PortlandChurch #GospelMultiplication #ChurchPlanting #FaithInThePNW #MinistryEncouragement

Send us a textMoney is one of the biggest realities every ministry leader faces, especially in the Portland metro and the Pacific Northwest. In this episode, Tim and Gabe welcome Ahshuwah back to the show, then jump into a practical conversation about fundraising, church planting models, generosity discipleship, and what it looks like to build sustainable ministry without letting money drive the mission.You will hear the team talk through vocational vs. co-vocational approaches, right-sizing ministry expectations, how culture affects giving, and why some planters may actually raise too much money upfront. They also explore creative funding ideas, including nonprofit partnerships, business income streams, and even a brief (and spicy) Bitcoin conversation.Subscribe so you do not miss a single episode, and share this with someone who is leading, planting, or praying about ministry in the PNW. For bonus content and resources, head to UpperLeftShow.com.

Send us a textRising Back Up in Rockwood: The Story of As Is Church with Pastor Scott BradleyIn this powerful episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Gabe and Tim sit down with Scott Bradley, pastor of As Is Church and founder of the Underground PDX youth program. Scott shares the raw, hopeful story of what God is doing in one of the most overlooked and challenged neighborhoods in Oregon — Rockwood, the most diverse and densely populated community in the state.From planting a church in his living room…To serving gang-impacted youth seven days a week…To facing the sudden loss of nearly $50,000/month in grant funding…To watching God transform lives like Mario’s…Scott’s story is a testimony of grit, calling, restoration, and rising back up through the challenges.Whether you’re a pastor, a church planter, or someone who cares deeply about the most vulnerable communities — this episode will stretch you, inspire you, and give you a real look at how the gospel is moving in East Portland.Discover in This Episode:The hilarious story behind the name As Is ChurchWhat makes Rockwood one of the most strategic mission fields in OregonWhy 88+ languages within one mile creates both opportunity and challengeHow Underground PDX reaches gang-impacted youth through fitness, mentorship, and relationshipMario’s emotional transformation after 10 years in the programWhat happens when all grant funding disappears overnightWhy Scott is shifting from a Sunday-centric model to a 7-day-a-week ministryHow churches and individuals can partner with As Is Church to bring hope to RockwoodSupport As Is Church & Underground PDXIf your heart is stirred by this conversation and you want to directly support the work happening in Rockwood, here’s how you can get involved:Church Website: https://asis.churchUnderground PDX (Youth Program): https://undergroundpdx.orgWays to partner:Monthly giving ($25, $50, $100)One-time year-end or Christmas givingChurch missions partnershipsHosting Scott to share the story with your congregationPurchasing Underground PDX gear to support the workSupporting the CrossFit membership model that sponsors youthEmail Scott directly:📩 [email protected] (He shared “bart@westside…” in transcript context but the guest-specific info is Scott. If incorrect, replace with provided address.)📩 Church general email: [email protected](If Scott provided alternative contact info in context, use that.)Reflection & EngagementThis episode challenges all of us to consider:Where is God calling you to stand — and who is He calling you to stand with?👉 Comment below: What impacted you most from Scott’s story?👉 Like the video if you believe the gospel belongs in the hardest places.👉 Subscribe for more powerful conversations of faith + mission in the Pacific Northwest.

Send us a textWhat happens when two pastors from the Pacific Northwest take a trip to the UK and accidentally walk straight into worship at Westminster Abbey, visit thriving churches in Liverpool, Bristol, and London, and learn from global leaders working toward gospel collaboration and city transformation?In this episode, Pastor Gabe Kolstad and Pastor Tim Osborn unpack the biggest lessons they brought home — and why they matter for the Portland Metro and the Pacific Northwest.Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, ministry volunteer, or someone passionate about seeing revival in secular places, this conversation will encourage, challenge, and inspire you.🔎 In This EpisodeThe surprising vitality of the church in the UKWorship in ancient buildings + modern ministry methodsThe quiet revival happening across EnglandWhy collaboration across theological tribes is essentialGospel saturation and the need for geographic ownershipWhat the UK can teach us about leadership pipelinesDiscerning healthy theology in a confusing timeModels of training leaders inside the local churchThe innovative WTC (Westminster Theological Centre) approachWhat Portland can learn from Bristol, Liverpool & LondonThe future of pastoral and theological training for the Northwest🌍 Mentioned in This Episode• Multiply PDX — a collaborative network for gospel movement in the Portland Metro• WTC Theology (Westminster Theological Centre) — a UK-based, church-embedded theological training model• Various city-reaching networks, leaders, and ministries across the UK💬 Join the ConversationDrop a comment and share:What do you think is the biggest barrier to gospel saturation in your city?What’s ONE thing your church or ministry could take ownership of in your neighborhood?Have you seen collaboration work across tribes? What made it effective?Your voice helps strengthen the movement happening here in the Pacific Northwest.👍 Enjoying the Podcast?If today’s conversation encouraged you, help us reach more people:👉 Subscribe👉 Like the video👉 Share this with a pastor or leader in your networkTogether, we can fuel gospel movement in the Northwest.#JesusInTheUpperLeft #UKChurch #GospelSaturation #CityReaching #MultiplyPDX #PortlandChurch #ChurchLeadership

Send us a textWhat happens when a neighborhood church opens a donation-based coffee shop and commits to long-haul presence in Portland’s South Tabor? Meet Brett Prior (lead/founding pastor) and Taylor Bolan (associate pastor) from The Genesis Project Portland and The Porch coffee shop. We dig into belonging vs. loneliness in PDX, why trust takes time, partnering with Kellogg Middle School, launching student ministry, and how a black-painted house next to a white-steeple church became a bridge to real relationship.In this episode:Why “belonging” beats branding—creating spaces where everyone can belong in Jesus’ nameThe Porch: donation-based coffee, volunteers, and everyday ministry (8am–1pm, Mon–Fri)Trust in Portland: slow, consistent presence is better than quick winsPartnering with public schools (yes, the vice principal knocked on their door)From porch to pulpit: calling, resistance, and faithfulnessBuilding tribe, not transactions: discipleship beyond SundaysLaunching student ministry + next steps for GP PortlandConnect with today’s guests:🌐 GenesisPortland.com☕ Visit The Porch (attached to GP Portland) — open Mon–Fri, 8am–1pm📷 Instagram: linked from their site👋 Best way to meet them? “Come by the Porch and say hi.”Join the conversation (drop a comment):What’s ONE small, consistent way your church could show up for your neighborhood this month?If your church vanished tomorrow, would your neighbors miss you? Why or why not?Have you seen a coffee-shop-plus-church model work? What made it click?If this encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share it with a pastor or volunteer who cares about their city.

Send us a text"We want to work together to see new churches started in and around the greater Portland area." Join Gabe Kolstad as he sits down with his friend Virgil Brown, pastor of Redemption Church and the new SEND City Missionary for the Portland Metro. Virgil shares his journey as a pastor and church planter, highlighting the pivotal role of the SEND Network in providing a tribe, resources, and a supportive brotherhood. He unveils an exciting new initiative: a Portland Coalition of like-minded pastors dedicated to collaborative church multiplication. This conversation explores why a unified approach is crucial for gospel growth in the city, the different ways churches can participate, and the vision for planting 5-10 new churches annually. Learn how this cross-denominational collaboration is ready to accelerate God's work in the Upper Left.Want to learn more? Join the SEND One Day event on October 28th at Door of Hope Church! Registration is free and the link will be in the show description.Key Topics Discussed:Virgil's ministry journeyThe role of SEND NetworkThe Portland CoalitionDifferent ways to participateVision for multiplication Cross-denominational unityThe SEND One Day eventThe power of collaboration

Send us a textIs a "Quiet Revival" happening in the UK, and are similar spiritual shifts underway in Portland? Join Gabe Kolstad and Tim Osborn as they dive into the UK's "Quiet Revival Report," exploring its surprising findings about the normalization and cultural attractiveness of Christian faith. They discuss whether these trends—including the remarkable return of young adults to the church and a deeper hunger for spiritual practice—are paralleled in the Pacific Northwest's unique cultural landscape. Gain insights into how local churches are adapting, embracing humility, making room for new leaders, and navigating the complexities of a highly individualized society. This conversation offers a hopeful and realistic look at God's work in a challenging mission field.Read the Quiet Revival Report at https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revivalShare your thoughts and observations in the comments below!

Send us a text"God told me, 'Not this one. He has a plan for you.'" Join Gabe Kolstad as he welcomes Lance Orton, a leader at City Team Portland, and Elise Galis, program director of Together PDX for an incredible conversation about making friends, engaging city leaders, and seeing God's redemptive work. Lance shares his raw, vulnerable testimony: from a privileged youth to a decade-long battle with addiction and homelessness, culminating in a miraculous encounter that led him to City Team. Discover how his unique life experience and "gifting for making friends" are now invaluable in bridging divides between the church, the city, and people experiencing homelessness. Hear how Lance is collaborating with Mayor Keith Wilson to address Portland's most pressing issues and how City Team is making a tangible difference.Key Topics Discussed:Lance's personal journeyThe "Crazy Cameron" storyTransition to City TeamEngaging city leadersRedefining successThe power of collaborationPortland's challenges & opportunitiesThe "make friends" mentalityCity Team's impactGod's redemptive workWant to get involved? Join City Team for Night Strike every Thursday under the Burnside Bridge! Learn more at cityteam.org/give-help/portland and togetherpdx.org.

Send us a textJoin Gabe Kolstad as he talks with his good friend Sean Thomé, a leader with Expand Network and Multiply PDX. Sean shares his incredible journey from growing up overseas and competitive surfing to a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Hear how his youth pastor's hands-on discipleship shaped his philosophy: pursue Jesus first, make reproducing disciples, and then trust Jesus to build His church. Sean transparently discusses the pivotal moments and paradigm shifts in his ministry, including a powerful "repentance from church planting" to prioritize disciple making and pastoral encouragement. Discover practical insights on intentional prayer strategies and how local churches can join God's kingdom movement by taking "mustard seed steps" of obedience in community.Key Topics DiscussedSean's personal journey: From Tokyo and Iran to competitive surfing and a life-changing encounter with the Gospel.Youth pastor's influence: The intentional discipleship model that shaped Shawn's early faith and ministry.Repenting from church planting: The pivotal realization that prioritizing discipleship over church planting leads to healthy church growth.The "backwards" model: Pursuing Jesus first, then making disciples, then trusting Jesus to build the church.Shift in Expand Network's values: Moving from asking for support to "washing feet" and serving local churches.Recognizing personal giftedness: How Shawn's apostolic wiring led him to step into a network leadership role.The "both/and" of ministry: Emphasizing both building up the local church and starting new work for kingdom expansion.The story of Restore Hillsboro: An example of a church planting with a multiplication mindset from the start.Strategic prayer: Developing an intentional prayer strategy for ministry, moving beyond just "praying about strategy."Mustard seed obedience: The importance of radically faithful, small steps and doing ministry in community.

Send us a textThis week on Jesus in the Upper Left we have a compilation of highlights from several of our top episodes! First, we hear from Jake and Madison Nagy about the unique opportunities for ministry they have found through their house church network Kainos Church! Then, Kirk Petersen shares about his work with Alpha and how to capitalize on the shifting culture of the Pacific Northwest to share the Gospel in new ways. Finally, Micah Dodson provides nuggets of wisdom on how to avoid burnout and build a ministry life that is effective for the long haul. We hope you find their stories both encouraging and practical! Thank you for listening to Jesus in the Upper Left! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the podcast.