“Love Portland.” It’s that catchy little phrase you hear around Imago…mysteriously showing up on t-shirts, bumper-stickers, and events. Some people think it means cleaning up schools, while others just think it’s a nice idea they’ve seen floating around.
When the words “Love Portland” gets stamped on an event, does that signify one more sweet volunteer opportunity, a chance to be as involved in the community as the rest of your neighbors? Why would we show up around the city, randomly doing good deeds?
Saturday mornings throughout this summer and the rest of the year, we approach this idea of loving Portland by collectively showing up to join Christ, as He loves Portland. More than just serving schools, we have many different projects to connect ourselves to this city that God loves.
On June 4th, we’ll be loving on those who are often Invisible when we pass them on the street…Invisible because we don’t notice them, or because they are shut away, behind closed doors. You’ll have a choice between projects with homeless youth, preparing a meal for people who are hungry, working with the elderly, or working with your hands. All tangible ways of experiencing Christ’s love in, for, and through us.
The goal, the reason that we participate in each of these events is to draw each of us deeper into the story of Christ. The story of a risen King who is reconciling all things to himself. This is the King that is breaking into the broken pieces of our lives, and bringing a Kingdom of restoration, of justice, mercy, and love.
When we love this city that God loves, we proclaim to our city that God love Portland. And just as He loves Portland, He loves you, too. We give our lives away just Christ gave his life away. As we serve within these areas within Portland we are entering places of need, that our world would say we should ignore, and we take our eyes off ourselves and see Christ breaking in.
For some of you, you know this to the deepest core of your heart. You’ve experienced what it’s like to give and give and give and yet miraculously feel like you were the one who was blessed by the experience as God works on our hearts in the process. Maybe you haven’t really experienced that, and this invitation is for you to join us as we participate in something Jesus has been about for hundreds of years—loving the world. As we draw into Christ’s story of redemption—we see not only how he’s transforming our city, but also our hearts as well.
God loves the world. God loves Portland. When we serve, we are proclaiming that truth.
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May 20th, 2011at 3:58 pm(#)
recently was staying in Portland, with family. Having been a fan of Portland for a long while, this trip, was different. I experienced it differently.
I found myself, dismayed and yes, disgusted at times, with the number of people, and what seemed a listless, careless attitude toward life. I couldn’t wait to escape. While there, I visited Omego Dei, and asked for prayer, for myself and where I am in my life. I read the Bible, and when I found almost a confirmation that I wasn’t in Portland by accident. God was opening my eyes, to the self serving ways, I have been viewing life.
Yes, it is overwhelming but there has to be a purpose for living and it can’t be to make myself more secure.
I am very grateful that this pain wasn’t for naught. Do I know where I am going? not really, but to not close my eyes against what looks ugly and loose and unforgiving, is a start isn’t it?
November 3rd, 2011at 1:58 am(#)
We live in a city with the most strip clubs per capita, the largest book store, and the most breweries in the world. Judging from the conversations I have with people, I’m guessing we have the most atheists as well. I don’t know what bible you guys are reading, but I’m pretty sure god would not love Portland…if he were real.
January 29th, 2012at 4:59 am(#)
That is the whole point, God loves people that are sick not those that are healed. Churches are hospitals for the sick and broken. Jesus is in the business of healing. Portland is loved by God because of What it is and how much it needs to find what it doesn’t even know its looking for.