A CHURCH FOR PORTLAND
Sojourn is a new diverse church forming in Portland that focuses on three main things: gospel, family, and mission. We do this by extending an invitation to those around us; regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, or culture; to join us by experiencing the freedom and family at the table of Jesus. The message is clear that Jesus has come for all people, young and old, the displaced, those on the margins, people who've made a mess of their lives, and those that are ordinary. Jesus has come for you. At this table you will find a place to belong, a journey to be taken, where all things are being made new and united by Jesus. We hope that you consider joining us as we take this journey.
INNER EAST SIDE
Our primary focus is the neighborhoods that make up the inner east side of Portland, which has its own distinct look and feel from the rest of the city. The East side of Portland makes up 80% of the city population with roughly 250,000 people. This area encompasses some notable districts like Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Avenue, Division Street, Hawthorne, and Sellwood-Moreland. The largest education institution in Oregon, Portland Community College has two of their campuses on the east side of Portland with nearly 80,000 students enrolled annually; and other smaller schools such as Reed College, Warner Pacific, and Multnomah University are nearby adding thousands of more students to the area. The neighborhoods of east Portland make up a diverse area of the city, but also one that has been splintered in recent years by an ever-changing city. We are a church that wants to reflect the diversity found here and we welcome everyone to join us.
MISSION
Sojourn is a kingdom-centered, multiethnic church inviting the city of Portland on a journey of learning what it means to follow Jesus.
VISION
Sojourn is a family of ordinary people changed by the love of Jesus, in the context of family, that live out his mission to our community, city, and world.
CORE VALUES
GOSPEL.
The most important thing we have to share with others is the Good News that the Father through Jesus is reconciling and restoring all things back to himself. This news is only good because it is offered to mankind on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Salvation is by grace through faith; and so those who repent and place their faith in Jesus are forgiven of their sins, justified by God, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:3-6; Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
FAMILY.
Jesus re-frames our understanding of family by saying “whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” God has graciously invited us into this family of love and calls all believers to live interdependent relationships of love with one another. We celebrate what the Father is doing by opening our lives and homes to one another, bearing one another's burdens, and speaking the truth in love as we attain to maturity in Christ (Gen. 1:26-31; Rom. 12:4-5; 2 Peter 2:4-10).
MISSION.
Since the beginning of creation, God has been on mission to make himself known to humanity. Mission should therefore be the unmistakable activity of every believer as we take part in God's mission of restoring all things to himself. Mission is intentional and happens in everyday life with both local and global engagement in order to fulfill the great commission (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 5:18).