Historic Evangelistic Event Sparks Spiritual Renewal in America’s Least Churched Region
PORTLAND, Oregon – Over 3,200 individuals made the decision to follow Jesus at the PDX Crusade, the first evangelistic crusade held in Portland in over 25 years. Hosted by Athey Creek Church, the event drew more than 35,000 attendees across three free gatherings at the Moda Center, Portland’s largest indoor arena, on August 2 and 3rd.
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Athey Creek Senior Pastor Brett Meador delivered a compelling gospel message at each event, urging attendees to step out of darkness and into the light of hope. “We live in a town where darkness is all around us,” Meador said, reflecting on Portland’s challenges. “If you live here, you feel it – how desperately people need to believe in Jesus that they may find hope.”
Meador framed his message around the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus from the Book of John, emphasizing God’s revelation through His Son. Highlighting Jesus as the Bread of Life, he noted, “We think we’re hungry for delight, for satisfaction, or for pleasure. When you feed your soul full of those worldly things, it only makes you hungrier.”
Citing a 2023 TIME article, Meador addressed the nation’s worsening mental health crisis despite increased access to therapy. “If our mental health system is so good, why are we spiraling?” he asked, before describing Jesus as the Vine. “If you are connected to the vine and abide in the vine, you will find life in Jesus.”
The Portland region is the least churched area in the U.S., with non-religious individuals outnumbering Christians, according to the Pew Research Center’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study. Athey Creek hopes the PDX Crusade sparks a spiritual awakening in the city. “I believe the Lord’s doing a great work in Portland, and it’s evident here tonight,” Meador said. “But we have more work to do, and that’s why it’s important for us to declare that He is the light of the world.”
The events featured performances by renowned worship artists CAIN, TAYA, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Anne Wilson, Chris Tomlin, and Zach Williams. “There’s nothing like the sound of the people of God singing the praises of God in the presence of God,” Tomlin shared. “It’s the greatest sound on the earth.”
Supported by over 3,900 Athey Creek volunteers, the PDX Crusade ran seamlessly. Athey Creek, a fixture in the Portland area for nearly three decades, is known for its verse-by-verse Bible teaching, with three campuses, five weekend worship services, a weekly Bible study, global watch parties, and a national radio program, Today’s Word Radio.
