Much People In This City

In early 2023 I was part of a team that was sent from our church to visit the pacific northwest. We were sent to survey the possibility of planting a church in Seattle or Portland. I have felt for several years that God has been calling me and my family to be a part of a church plant specifically in the northwest. Although many aspects of the area were different than I expected, I quickly felt confirmation that, if our church would pursue planting a church in the northwest, I should be a part of it. On our first trip I felt that there was an undeniable need for the gospel in Portland.

During that trip, as I prayed that God would guide me through his word, I read a passage in Acts that God really used to give me a heart for Portland. In Acts 18:9-10, as Paul was sharing the gospel in Corinth, he received opposition from the Jews of the city. But the Lord tells Paul “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” God used this passage to show me that although we faced heavy rejection, I should not be afraid of the opposition we will face, because He is with us and there are people “in this city” that are seeking truth and someone needs to be there to share with them the truth and hope that we have in Jesus.