Jesus in the Upper Left
"Jesus in the Upper Left" is a Portland-based, thought-provoking podcast that explores the unique challenges and opportunities of ministry, church planting and Gospel multiplication in the Pacific Northwest. Packed with inspiration, ideas, and connections, each episode delves into topics like racism, the history of movements and renewal, mistakes made, lessons learned, creative ideas and more. With a focus on personal stories and honest conversations, "Jesus in the Upper Left" offers a fresh look at what it's going to take to saturate our region with the love and community of Jesus. Whether you're a leader, a learner or a skeptic, this podcast will challenge you to engage with the culture around you in a more intentional and compassionate way.
BONUS CONTENT: Don't miss the behind-the-scenes, raw comments & extras at https://www.togetherpdx.org/multiplypdx.
Episodes
82 episodes
From Argentina to Portland: The Unexpected Journey of a Church Planter
Join Tim Osborn and Pete Armstrong as they explore the winding path that led guest Matt Boyd to plant Sojourn Church in Northeast Portland. From a youth spent in traditional church settings to a life-altering mission trip to Argentina, and then...
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53:31
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Raising Up Leaders: The Power of Residency in Church Planting
Join Gabe Kolstad and Ryan O'Malley as they delve into the vital role of residencies in developing the next generation of church leaders. Ryan shares his experience in establishing a residency program, addressing the leadership gap in churches,...
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41:30
Multiplying Disciples: Spiritual Disciplines, Outreach, and the Future of the Church
Join Gabe Kolstad in a dynamic conversation with Lisa Garin as they explore the crucial topic of multiplying disciples and churches. Lisa shares her personal journey into ministry, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and the transformat...
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39:33
Next-Generation Church Leaders
Join Toney Salva, leader of the Evergreen Network, as he shares insights on church planting in the Pacific Northwest. With years of experience in both the Northeast and the Northwest, Toney discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of m...
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52:28
Hannah Grace: Building Community and Finding Revival
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jason and Tara Hood from Hannah Grace Ministry and Faith Rock Community Church. Discover how their unique approach to ministry is making a profound impact on families in the Portland metro area. From f...
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46:30
Dying to Restart: A Church Reborn
What happens when a church closes its doors—but doesn’t see that as the end? Erin Taylor joins us to share the incredible story of a church in Hillsboro, Oregon, that made the courageous decision to close in order to be reborn. Through the inno...
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28:56
House Church Planting in Portland
Jake and Madison Nagy join Jesus in the Upper Left to share their journey of planting and leading Kainos Church, a house church network in Portland. They reflect on their early ministry experiences, their global travels that shaped their missio...
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49:38
Church Planting in a Post-Christian Culture | Dan Kimball
In this episode of Jesus on the Upper Left, we’re joined by Dan Kimball, author, church planter, and professor at Western Seminary. Dan shares his journey from punk rock drummer to church leader, the challenges of planting Vintage Faith Church ...
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46:48
Engaging Spiritual Hunger & Skepticism with Kirk Petersen
Join us on this episode of the Jesus in the Upper Left podcast as we welcome Kirk Petersen from Alpha USA. Kirk shares his incredible journey of ministry in Portland and the transformative power of Alpha—a 10-week experience that helps people e...
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45:18
Holistic Biblical Training: Equipping Leaders for Ministry
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, we sit down with Dr. Bill Mounce, founder of BiblicalTraining.org. Join us as Dr. Mounce shares his passion for equipping lay leaders, pastors, and ...
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59:22
Holistic Health in Ministry
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Micah Dodson, Ahshuwah Hawthorne, and special guest Dominic Ibaria tackle the critical topic of thriving in ministry. Drawing from years of experience and research, Dominic shares practical insights i...
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42:39
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Year-end Reflections
In this festive and heartfelt year-end episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Ahshuwah Hawthorne, Gabe Kolstad, and Pete Armstrong reflect on the highlights, challenges, and lessons of 2024. From powerful stories of evangelism and community impact...
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52:29
Building Bridges of Hope: Love INC’s Mission to Unite and Serve
Discover the inspiring journey of Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) in this heartwarming episode. Join us as we speak with Matt Farlow, the Executive Director of Love INC East Multnomah County, and other leaders about mobilizing churches to...
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1:04:07
Leading Through Cultural Change: Pastor Michael Lawrence’s Portland Journey
Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Pastor Michael Lawrence of Hinson Baptist Church as he shares his inspiring journey from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Oregon. Discover how he embraced cultural differences, led a historic church, and ...
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47:03
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From Rock Star to Worship Leader: Bart Hafeman’s Journey of Faith and Music
What happens when a rock star surrenders to God’s call and finds a new purpose in Worship? Join Gabe Kolstad as he interviews Bart Hafeman, worship leader at Westside Community Church and former frontman of the hit band Hit Machine. In...
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46:20
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Worship Beyond Music: Tim Smith’s Journey in Ministry
Welcome to another episode of Jesus in the Upper Left! This week, Gabe Kolstad and Ahshuwah Hawthorne are joined by Tim Smith, a worship consultant and former worship pastor with decades of experience in ministry.In t...
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58:39
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Worship, Creativity, & Finding Hope with Hannah Glavor
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, we sit down with Hannah Glavor, an indie artist and worship leader, to explore how faith, creativity, and hope come together in powerful ways.🎶 Learn how Hannah’s jou...
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47:54
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Beyond Performance: Rethinking Worship with Brian Winchester (Saving Grace Church)
What is true worship, and how can we cultivate a deeper, more authentic experience in our churches? Join Ahshuwah Hawthorne and Andre as they discuss worship with Brian Winchester, pastor of Saving Grace Church and a former hip-hop artist. Bria...
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1:06:21
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Planting and Thriving in Portland: A Church Planter's Journey
What are the unique challenges and joys of planting a church in Portland, Oregon? Join Ahshuwah Hawthorne and Andre as they sit down with Simon Bardoni, a church planter with over seven years of experience in the city. Simon shares his personal...
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1:02:26
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Reclaiming Sacred Time: Combating the Secular Eclipse with Dr. Metzger
Is the secular calendar eclipsing the Christian imagination? Join Pete Armstrong and Ahshuwah Hawthorne as they welcome Dr. Metzger, author of "Setting the Spiritual Clock," to explore the importance of reclaiming sacred time in a secular age. ...
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1:01:10
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The Secret Struggle: Understanding Addiction in Your Church
What lies at the heart of addiction? Join Pete Armstrong and Petr Shotropa as they delve into the complexities of addiction and recovery with licensed professional counselor, Rhys Passimio. Rhys shares his personal journey, professional insight...
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1:02:47
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Discipleship Reimagined: It's Not Just About Programs
What does real-life discipleship look like in the midst of busy schedules, suburban life, and cultural distractions? Join Pete Armstrong and Stephen Collins as they explore discipleship beyond programs and structures. Discover the power of head...
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45:46
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The Secret to Thriving in Ministry (Hint: It's Not Just About KPIs)
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Ahshuwah Hawthorne talks with John Garrick about the importance of soul care, rest, and intentional friendships in ministry.Discover insights on:The hidden struggles of ministry lea...
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57:55
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The Mental Health Crisis: A Christian Counselor's Perspective
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Pete Armstrong and Ahshuwah Hawthorne continue their series on mental health in the church with Dr. Bart Fowler, a licensed psychologist from Charis Counseling Associates.Together, they delve i...
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1:00:20
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Church Planting: The Burnout Trap (and How to Avoid It)
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Pete Armstrong and Oshawa Hawthorne continue their series on mental health in the church with Micah Dodson from Thrive Church Planting (web: thrivechurchplanting.org / email: Micah@thrivechurchplantin...
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