The Columbia River Gorge speaks to the spirit of adventure and exploration for a nation. It embodies the untapped potential of a still young country, with timeless geography. Portland is the gateway, not only to the gorge, but also to the open spirit of the Pacific Northwest. If Chicago is broad shoulders, Portland is broad horizons. It is home to arguably one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the United States.
Multnomah Falls is certainly the most easily accessible major falls on the continent. But the beauty and promise of Portland belie the dark spiritual shroud over the area. Portland is a post-modern, non-Christian outpost.The city was the first major metropolitan area in the U.S. to elect an openly gay mayor. Tolerance is touted as a virtue over truth.Portland is strategically focused not only on the metro area of Portland and Vancouver, Wash., but also the influential communities of Eugene and Corvallis, home, respectively, to the University of Oregon and OregonState University.
WHY PORTLAND, OR?
2.6 Million people live in the Portland Metro.
15th fastest 2015 growing metro.
Only 1 church for every 10k people.
Only 11% of population affiliated with evangelical church = 89% not affiliated at all.
Time Magazine called Portland the least religious city in the United States.
There is one church for every 12,000 people.
1 SBC Church for every 30,000 people.
More strip clubs per capita than any other major city.
Major hub for human trafficking.
Market Watch Magazine, named Portland the Atheist capital of America.
The Barna Research Group listed Portland as the 13thleast churched city in the nation.
70% are unaffiliated with any religious body.
60% believe in life after death.
64% say they are religious or spiritual.
There are ninety-five Portland neighborhoods that make our city an exciting, vibrant, and diverse place to visit and live. These neighborhoods are what keep Portland weird as each is made up of eclectic people and independent businesses. The neighborhoods cover five quadrants that make up the urban core—North, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest.
Sojourn is committed to planting our lives and church in inner Northeast quadrant of the city. Home to the Portland Trailblazers, the East side of Portland makes up 80% of the city population, and inner NE is an area with roughly 110,000 people. This area encompasses some notable districts like Alberta Arts Disctrict, Mississippi Avenue, Hollywood, and Lloyd District.
The largest education instituion in Oregona, Portland Community College, has a fully functioning campus in NE Portland. Their total student enrollment across all locations is nearly 78,000 annually. The neighborhoods of Northeast Portland make up the most diverse area of the city, but also one that has been splintered over the last ten years due to the ever-changing and growing city and gentrification. Sojourn wants to be a church that reflects the diversity found here and we welcome everyone to join us.
Catch The vision
The best way to catch the vision for our ministry is to come and see the need in Portland for new churches yourself. Come on a Vision Tour and you will never be the same!
VISION TRIP DETAILS
FINALIZE NUMBERS - 1-3 MONTHS PRIOR
To best accomplish our goals in Portland, as well as personalize each trip, we recommend a team of 4-6 people. (12 people maximum)
SCHEDULE
When planning for the vision trip, we recommend at least two full days on the ground. We also think it is beneficial to have one free day (or partial day) for your enjoyment of the Pacific Northwest.
PURCHASE TICKETS - 1-3 MONTHS PRIOR
Purchase plane tickets as soon as possible. Please communicate with us the times that you are considering arriving. This will affect transportation options & the itinerary.
TRANSPORTATION & HOTEL
Portland has an excellent public transportation system. The public transportation extends to the airport and all the surrounding suburbs. Buses run often throughout the city. Public transportation will be the cheapest option for traveling around the city. However, this will require additional time and more tedious planning. Selecting a hotel on or near a transportation stop will be important. If you plan to depend on public transportation, it is best to stay at the Best Western Inn or Days Inn (details below), as they are both a short walk from public transportation.
Renting a car/van will be the most expensive option but will allow you more freedom in hotel selection and the planning of the itinerary.
You can decide to utilize both public transportation and rent a vehicle. For example, you can rent a vehicle for only one day for specific activities or for free time.
Below, we have detailed a some options for you to consider.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Hyatt Place at Cascade Station 9750 NE Cascades Parkway Portland, OR 97220 503-288-2808
Country Inn and Suites 7025 NE Alderwood Road Portland, OR 97218 503-255-2700
Best Western Inn at the Meadows 1215 N Hayden Meadows Dr. Portland, OR 97217 503-256-1504
RECOMMENDED AIRBNB
Bright, New Apartment in Hip & Accessible Kenton
Cozy Close-in North Portland Studio
Fully furnished ADU In Heart of Alberta Arts Dist.
Willamette Boulevard Guest House
RECOMMENDED CAR RENTALS
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 7105 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97218 503-252-1500
Avis - 7102 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97220 503-249-4950
Hertz - 7000 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97220 503-528-7900
National - 7105 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97220 503-249-4900
COST
The cost on the ground in Portland will be largely dependent on the itinerary and the transportation selected by your group. The costs listed below are based on prices as they currently are and do not reflect any increase that may occur.
TRANSPORTATION BUDGET:
$5/day per person for public transportation
Car/Van rental (varies based on car, duration of rental, etc.)
FOOD BUDGET:
$15-$20/day for food
$2-$4/day for coffee
OPTIONAL FUN/ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Multnomah Falls (Free)
Waterfall Hike—1 to 3 mile options (Free)
Snow Skiing on Mt. Hood—Pricing Changes with Season
Oregon Coast—1 1⁄2 hour drive
Circuit Rock Climbing Gym—$20 (Admission & Climbing Shoes) Skylift—$4.55
Lloyd Center Ice Skating—$13-$17
Powell’s Bookstore—Free
Coffee Tour—Stumptown, Heart, Barista, and Public Domain $8-$16
Portland Saturday Market (March – Christmas Eve)—Free
MUST-EATS
Blue Star Donuts
Salt & Straw (ice cream shop with unique flavors)
Extracto Coffee (NE coffee shop that Matt uses as an office)
Pine State Biscuits (We think the Reggie Deluxe is the bomb.)
Gravy (Best brunch you’ll ever have)
PACKING
Warm clothes, rain jacket, comfy rain-appropriate shoes—the perfect chance to whip out your hipster garb from the closet! It is also important for each member of your team to bring a reusable water bottle because we are often doing much walking and it is important to stay hydrated.