November 2022 Update

Dear Church family and friends,

We have made it through our first month-and-a-half in the Pacific Northwest and wanted to send an update on what is happening. Now I know what some of you are thinking, why has it taken so long? What’s been going on? Apparently moving one’s life 1,000 miles away takes some time, some effort, and is prone to opportunities to grow - that’s the Christian way of saying that it’s challenging with lots of curveballs!

The first few weeks were quite chaotic. Our long-distance moving company kept delaying the arrival of all our possessions, so we were all living out of an empty, unfurnished house on blow-up beds, camp chairs and cookware and kitchen utensils from TJ Maxx and Goodwill stores for the first couple of weeks.

As of right now, we are currently residing in East Vancouver, WA, where the rents are cheaper, yet only 20 minutes from downtown Portland and 15 minutes from Northwest Portland, one of the areas we are focusing on for our church-planting efforts. The last few weeks have been composed of prayer, learning the lay of the land, and discerning where God is leading

us to start a church here.

In addition:

We continue to visit the many neighborhoods in and around the Portland/Vancouver area and pray and ask God to direct us as we become more familiar with the area and culture.
We’ve met with numerous pastors to get a feel for the spiritual makeup, demographics and needs in the various neighborhoods.
We’re striving to meet new people, taking names and contact information as we build relationships in efforts of starting small bible-study groups. Part of this has included all four of us joining the local community center which offers a wide variety of activities, classes, programs, and events for all ages.
Administratively, we’ve established our own EIN number, DBA, non-profit business license and bank accounts.

Here are a few takeaways of the first month:

There has been a great welcome from every pastor we’ve met. They are very excited to hear of another church starting in the area and helping reach a spiritually deprived community.
2020 (specifically the Portland riots and pandemic) was extremely challenging for long-time residents. They feel the entire area is not what it used to be. However, there seems to be a growing sense and desire for God. As one pastor put it “people with zero desire for God or church were suddenly showing up to our services. People seem hungrier more than ever.”
The Portland/Vancouver area is extremely dark: Nearly 40% don’t believe in God; 90% don’t trust religious leaders and 70% are not involved in a religious community. In fact, the Portland and Vancouver areas hold the esteemed designation of being tied for the unhappiest cities in the United States.

Here are ways you can be praying for us:

That God would lead us to the right people and the right area, and He alone (not human wisdom or methods), would build His church.
We would remain steadfast despite the spiritual warfare. It is abundantly clear to see the enemy at work here.
Our wives would continue to feel loved and cherished. Our families would be protected, and Stephanie would be completely healed from breast cancer.
Nick would find favor as he writes his dissertation. He’s one-tenth of the way done and hoping to get a part-time professor job once he finishes.
That our efforts would help create a revival that would break out throughout the city and continue to spill out throughout the entire Pacific Northwest.

Thank you again so much for all your prayers and support, both spiritual and financial. It’s been amazing to see God moving and working with each passing day.

God bless,

Nick, Jess, Zion, Stephanie, and Dale