Our Story

The story of Pearl Church begins in a vision statement, written by Steve Patty on December 25th, 2000:

“I have a vision of a church for a new generation. A church that takes seriously the forms of spiritual thirst of the GenX/Baby Busters/Post-moderns – in short, those in their 20’s and 30’s, and other ages of similar mind. This intergenerational church would be intentionally a spiritual home for young adults, some of whom would not find God otherwise. This place would not be so ‘radical’ or ‘alternative’ as it would be in tune – both reaching into and calling out of this place of life we find ourselves in.

I have a vision of a church that teaches the Word with unabashed truthfulness, that is a sanctuary for heart-felt musical and artistic expression, and that connects with the heritage of the ancient faith through classical and modern liturgy. This would be a place where our awareness of the transcendence of God would accompany that of his immanence.

I have a vision of a church where my friends and I can participate in the movements of faith – where there is space for each of us to be confronted by God – where the Eucharist is participatory, the prayer is individual… and corporate, and the worship is true to the complexity and messiness of our journey.

I have a vision of a church that is a temple, not a synagogue or a hospital. Teaching and healing would surely have a place, but the primary activity would be to truly worship – to truly worship in ways that sustain spiritual health for our souls and call us to love God more deeply.

I have a vision of a church that is spiritually sensitive. This place would be one where things and programs and plans and duties would be held lightly in order that we might listen to the desires and movements of the Spirit of God. We would have nothing to prove – no livelihood on the line – only a desire to create space in our lives for God, and an authentic invitation for others like ourselves to do the same.

I have a vision of a multiplying church. A church that is a training ground for young ministers to be infected with a culture that’s been theologically and educationally informed before going out to plant ministries of their own. This would not be a one-person show, but the expression of an ecology of gifts and talents, used and being strengthened for the purposes of Great Commission multiplication.

I have a vision of an evangelical church, awash in orthodox doctrinal truth. The careful handling of the Word would make this place a haven and would help us navigate these stages in our lives.

I have a vision of a church that would truly honor Christ and reach people who now have no spiritual home.”

After writing this vision statement and feeling a sense of calling to fulfill it, Steve shared it with a handful of people. Out of those that read the vision statement and prayed about involvement in fulfilling it, three couples decided to join Steve in planting Pearl Church: Joseph and Amy Reed, Jason and Heather Ricks, and Mike and Jen Roth.

In May of 2001, this group began meeting at the Roth’s home purposing to be church for one another while also searching out what it meant to be church. In June of 2001, some from the group traveled to Denver to observe a church there and to dream about what Pearl Church might be like. It was in Denver that Pearl Church’s purpose, and identity statements were formed. In September of 2001, the group met for a final time at the Roth’s home, and each person prayerfully invited a few friends to hear Pearl Church’s vision and to consider being a part of the church planting team.

From October 2001 – March 2002, those who heard the vision and felt a sense of calling to participate in it began meeting in a home in NE Portland. During these months, this new group met weekly to worship, Steve and Mike taught through Pearl’s purpose and identity statements, and a sense of ethos unique to Pearl Church slowly began to develop. In April of 2002, the church acquired space to rent on Sunday evenings in a gallery room at the Paragon restaurant and Pearl Church opened her doors.

From April of 2002 – January of 2004, Pearl Church held weekly services, developed necessary ministries, did her best to truly worship the Lord and follow Jesus, and slowly began to outgrow her space. In February of 2004, Pearl Church’s weekly service moved from the Paragon to the conference room in the Ecotrust building to compensate. In February of 2005, we added a second service.

In August of 2006, Steve resigned from his responsibilities as Elder and Pastor at Pearl Church. Tim and Rachel Uthmann came on staff as Interim Pastors and served alongside Mike for ten months. During these months, Pearl Church grew in unity and clarified in her vision.

In July of 2007, Tim and Rachel pursued their dreams to become missionaries in Rome while Ford Jordan and John Ross came on staff as pastoral interns. In June of 2008, Ford and John concluded their internships. Ford moved to North Carolina to take a pastoral position in a church he loves and in the state he grew-up in. John transitioned into a full-time Assistant Pastor position at Pearl Church. Other staffing transitions in 2008 included the hiring of Stacie Fischer as an Administrative Assistant and the search for a Children’s Ministry Pastoral Intern.

Throughout Pearl Church’s story, it has been clear to us that this is not our story. We are the Lord’s story. The Lord is building and sustaining Pearl Church. The Lord is building his kingdom here on earth. From December of 2000 - July of 2008, Pearl Church has gone from a vision, to a church plant, to a church planted. Of course, we have so far to go and so much yet to be and do. We are a work in progress and people make progress slow. But we’re not in a hurry. Our desire is not to grow large, but rather to grow deep in our relationship with Christ and with each other. As we dream, our vision continues to hone and clarify, but our purpose and identity remain the same. We want to truly worship and follow Jesus. We deeply believe that this is a story worth giving our entire lives to.

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