Christ Church Sellwood growing numerically, spiritually

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Additional home groups formed as young congregation grows

Mission USA news story

Christ Church Sellwood, a USMB church plant in the greater Portland, Ore., area, has witnessed significant numerical and spiritual growth over the past several months, says Don Morris, director of Mission USA.

People who come to Sellwood on Sunday mornings encounter a solid biblical message from church planter and pastor Jared Pulliam, pictured far left.

“Every time I go to Christ Church Sellwood I am challenged and enthused by Jared’s preaching,” says Morris. “He has a gift for taking people deep into God’s word, and he provides very timely takeaways. The worship time is always great as well.”

Sellwood’s growth has necessitated the formation of additional home groups—small groups that meet at various locations in the Sellwood area for prayer and Bible study. During the final week of the month, home groups do not meet, and group members are encouraged to engage with unbelievers. In many cases, this takes the form of hospitality with coworkers or neighbors.

Home groups aren’t the only way relationships are built and people introduced to Christ. “Each month there is an opportunity for either the ladies or men in the congregation to fellowship with each other,” says Pulliam. “The activity and venue varies, but these get-togethers have been an evangelistic tool and an important time to build relationships.”

Launched in September 2013 with 20 adult members, the church now has 70 regular attendees. The venue at Sellwood Community Center has served the church well, and the relationship with the city for its use is planned for well into the future.

“Sellwood Community Center is available to us for a very nominal monthly fee,” says church elder Josh Skarphol. “That allows us to meet ministry needs and put a little aside for the time when we’ll need to relocate. The facility provides all we need at present, plus it’s a great connecting point in the community of Sellwood.”

Christ Church Sellwood is the daughter congregation of Trinity Church in Portland and is also being planted in partnership with the Pacific District Conference (PDC) and Mission USA, the USMB church planting and church health and renewal ministry.

 

 

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