In a remarkable and providential display, Portland—a city long marked by secularism and spiritual uncertainty—witnessed an extraordinary Christian revival this August. The PDX Crusade, hosted by Athey Creek Church, drew an astounding 35,000 attendees to the Moda Center on August 2–3. This turnout marks one of the largest evangelistic gatherings Portland has seen in decades.
For years, Portland has stood at the crossroads of spiritual apathy. According to a recent Pew Research landscape study, the Portland–Vancouver metro area is the only one among the 34 largest U.S. metro regions where the religiously unaffiliated outnumber Christians—44% to 42%. Such statistics underscore how deeply entrenched secularism is in this “deep blue city.”
And yet, on that weekend, the air changed—filled once again with worship, hope, and the Gospel. The crusade featured worship by renowned Christian artists like Chris Tomlin, Zach Williams, CAIN, TAYA, Anne Wilson, Kari Jobe, and Cody Carnes. Their music served as a powerful soundtrack for spiritual transformation.
Pastor Brett Meador, senior pastor at Athey Creek Church, passionately preached the Gospel both nights. At key moments, a large graphic proclaimed: “Out of Darkness into the Light,” vividly reflecting the gathering’s spiritual thrust. Meador addressed Portland’s myriad struggles—homelessness, crime, spiritual void—and boldly declared, “We live in a town where darkness is all around us… we need to see our town… come out of the darkness and into the light.”
To the glory of God, over 3,200 individuals said “Yes” to Jesus, responding to altar calls that extended grace and redemption to a lost generation. Volunteers distributed Bibles and helped connect these new believers with local churches—a clear demonstration of the Great Commission in action.
For a city where organized evangelistic crusades are a rare sight, this documented outreach was the first in more than 25 years. That long interval underscores just how significant the PDX Crusade truly was—God’s hand moving mightily in a region previously considered spiritually resistant.
The event’s resonance went beyond mere numbers. Attendee testimonies captured the awe of believers who had not seen such a bold proclamation of faith in the city for a generation. One Portland resident noted, “I haven’t seen anything like this in a long, long time.” Others sensed that a spiritual awakening was not just possible—it was unfolding.
From a conservative Christian perspective, this revival bears deep significance. It testifies that our God still moves powerfully—even in corners of culture deemed spiritually barren. It illustrates the importance of faith-driven gatherings, the power of gospel-centered worship, and the enduring relevance of the Good News of Christ.
Portland’s story serves as both encouragement and challenge. If a city known for religious indifference can experience such a revival, then believers everywhere should be emboldened to pray, worship, and proclaim the Gospel with faith and urgency.
Athey Creek Church’s leadership team, including Executive Pastor Rick Anderson, is already considering making the PDX Crusade an annual tradition—a testament to their commitment to long-term spiritual impact in the region.
This revival also underscores the biblical truth that God often works where we least expect it. Paul wrote that the Gospel begins in Jerusalem and then travels to Judea, Samaria, and beyond—but sometimes, revival comes right in the “end of the earth.” In spiritual terms, perhaps Portland represents a frontier city—one where the Gospel now has an open door.
As a conservative Christian writer, I recognize this event not only as newsworthy but as a sacred moment. It’s a powerful reminder that our faith is not private—it is public and communal. It’s not confined to personal piety—it calls for bold proclamation. It’s not without result—it brings salvation, new life, and kingdom advance.
May the PDX Crusade stand as a model for reaching seemingly unreachable places with the light of Christ. And may the 3,200 who said “Yes” to Jesus be the first wave of a much larger harvest.
In the face of secularism, let the Portland revival inspire believers to take courage and act. Let us labor in prayer, worship, evangelism, and community-building, trusting that God is still building His Church—even in the most challenging contexts.
PDX Crusade, Portland revival, Athey Creek Church, Gospel outreach, Evangelism Portland, Spiritual awakening, Chris Tomlin, Christian conversions, Moda Center event, Conservative Christianity