It’s pronounced “Orygun”.

It was a lesson I learned right away:  if you’re going to start a church, at least know how to pronounce the name of the state.

“It’s Ory-GUN.  Not Ore-GON.  Got it?”

Got it!

Five years ago last month, our family moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Portland, Oregon to start Westport Church.  Teaming up with a family from Dallas, Texas, we set out to launch a values-driven, Jesus centered gathering committed to impacting a region.  And what a ride God gave us.  What started with seven individuals (the grand total of our two families) has now grown to a gathering of several hundred Jesus followers passionate about helping people in the western-region of Portland see the beauty of Jesus, his words, and his church so they can experience forgiveness, restoration and joy. Yep – I still have the mission statement memorized. :)

I fell in love with Portland.  Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens; Multnomah Falls; the Willamette Valley; wine country; the MAX train system; Lance Armstrong wannabees and bike paths everywhere; the eclectic, tree-hugging, urban culture (“keep Portland weird!”).  Shoot, I even started to cheer for the Trailblazers.

And I loved the risk-taking, faith-bending adventure of planting a church.  We were right in the thick of the battle.  We knew it, and the enemy knew it.  And he attacked from all angles.  Was it tough? Heck ya.  Worth it?  Absolutely.  And in spite of battles and blemishes, God birthed an amazing church!

The thing I loved the most? No doubt:  the people.  The people we shared transformational community with left a lasting mark on our lives. Leslee and I still have a deep love for the people God connected us with there.

I haven’t made a footprint on Oregon soil in three years. But tomorrow that changes. Our family is thrilled to head out there for a week of vacation!  We’re excited to visit with friends we love, celebrate what God is continuing to do at Westport, and enjoy the beauty of the northwest.

Orygun, here we come!