35,000 Gather for Portland Crusade Despite Secular Trends
Recent survey results have placed Portland among the most secular cities in the U.S. However, this didn’t hinder a significant turnout over the weekend, where around 35,000 people participated in a two-day crusade organized by local churches, resulting in about 3,200 individuals making a commitment to Christ.
The PTX Crusades, hosted by Asse Creek Church at Moda Centre, featured performances from artists such as Christomlin, Zach Williams, and others, but the main focus was encouraging attendees to embrace faith in Christ.
Initially scheduled for just Saturday and Sunday, the turnout led to the addition of Saturday afternoon sessions after pre-registration filled up quickly.
Brett Meador, the senior pastor at Asse Creek, expressed that the events far exceeded their expectations. He remarked, “It’s amazing to see a coliseum filled with Christians showing their love for Jesus, especially in a city many consider one of America’s darkest.”
According to a 2023-24 study by the Pew Research Center, those without religious affiliation in the Portland-Vancouver area now outnumber Christians, a shift from 44% to 42%. A 2015 study pointed out that Portland has one of the highest percentages of religiously unaffiliated individuals in the country.
Yet, the PTX Crusades offered a glimmer of hope and a desire for truth in an area thought to be spiritually closed off. Meador mentioned that even the event’s staff, including security, were moved to accept Christ.
About 4,000 volunteers helped organize the crusades, which claimed to be the first major evangelistic event in Portland in over 25 years.
Meador said, “These experiences show that God can accomplish more than we could even imagine. It’s incredible how many hearts were touched and transformed.”
The recent PTX Crusades highlight a potential for spiritual renewal across the U.S. Just last month, a separate event at California’s Angel Stadium drew 45,000 attendees, with 5,500 people professing their faith, alongside another 1,000 online participants.
In reflecting on the crusade’s impact, Meador shared a hopeful vision, stating, “I leave this gathering with a desire to see Christ’s light spread from this event throughout Oregon and beyond, especially in the greater Portland area.”
