Portland has been cited as the least religious city in America by the Public Religion Research Institute’s American Values Atlas. Many of the residents are young, independent thinkers, so for church planters, partners and individuals interested in reaching the next generation, Portland provides the perfect opportunity. 

Saint Johns is the seed of North Portland—a collection of small but unique neighborhoods which, along with the University of Portland,  populate the peninsula of land created by the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. This diverse neighborhood lives in the constant tension of both beauty and brokenness. Historically a community with struggling schools and high rates of crime, poverty, addiction, and other forms of tangible hardship and need, we believe St Johns is ripe with potential for the robust, holistic, hope-filled, loving, renewing work of the gospel of Jesus to take root and bring much-needed transformation.

Simply put, we love this neighborhood. Being a part of this community is a blessing and privilege. But we know that God loves this place even more than we do and desires to see it flourish in new and beautiful ways. We are committed to loving and serving the people of St Johns in creative, helpful, prayerful, and redemptive ways—embracing the challenge from the prophet Jeremiah to “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have sent you. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29.7)