35,000 Worship in Portland as 3,200 Embrace Christ in One of America’s Most Secular Cities
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – In a city often dubbed one of the most unchurched in America, more than 35,000 people gathered this past weekend at the Moda Center for the first major evangelistic crusade in Portland in over 25 years — and more than 3,200 made public decisions to follow Christ.
Hosted by Athey Creek Church, the two-day PDX Crusade featured powerful gospel messages from Senior Pastor Brett Meador and worship led by renowned artists including Chris Tomlin, Zach Williams, CAIN, TAYA, Anne Wilson, Kari Jobe, and Cody Carnes.
Originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evening, the crusade added an additional Saturday afternoon session after registrations exceeded venue capacity.
“It’s something to see a coliseum packed full of Christians just loving Jesus, especially in what is perceived as one of the darkest cities in America,” said Meador. “We live in a town where darkness is all around us. If you live here, you feel it — how desperately people need to believe in Jesus that they may find hope.”
The event, held at Portland’s largest indoor arena, emphasized the hope found in Christ amid growing cultural despair. Meador preached from the Gospel of John, illustrating Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements. He challenged attendees to leave behind fleeting worldly pursuits and instead abide in Christ, the true vine and source of life.
“If our mental health system is so good, why are we spiraling?” Meador asked, referencing a 2023 TIME article on rising mental illness. “When you feed your soul full of those worldly things, it only makes you hungrier.”
The crusade took place in a region where, according to Pew Research Center’s 2023-2024 Religious Landscape Study, the religiously unaffiliated now outnumber Christians — 44% to 42%. Despite this, thousands came forward during altar calls across the three services, many with tears streaming down their faces.
“There’s nothing like the sound of the people of God singing the praises of God in the presence of God,” said worship leader Chris Tomlin. “It’s the greatest sound on the earth.”
More than 3,900 Athey Creek volunteers helped orchestrate the event. Organizers reported that even event staff and security personnel were among those who responded to the gospel.
Athey Creek Church, a verse-by-verse Bible-teaching congregation with three campuses in the Portland area, sees the crusade as a launchpad for spiritual renewal across the Pacific Northwest. The church also hosts a national radio program, “Today’s Word Radio,” and numerous community watch parties around the world.
Pastor Meador concluded with a challenge: “I believe the Lord’s doing a great work in Portland, and it’s evident here tonight. But we have more work to do. It’s time for our city — and our nation — to come out of the darkness and into the light.”
The Portland outpouring follows a wave of large-scale evangelistic events nationwide, including one at Angel Stadium in Anaheim last month where over 5,500 accepted Christ.
Organizers hope the momentum continues. “We’re praying this is just the beginning,” said Meador. “May the light of Jesus Christ shine brighter than ever before in Portland and beyond.”
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