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.
Jesus in the Upper Left
Called Back to Portland: How Imago Dei's New Lead Pastor Stepped Into a 25-Year Legacy
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What does it look like to follow a founder — especially one who built something that shaped an entire city?
Chris Nye is the lead pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland, Oregon. In this conversation, he shares the unlikely story of how a kid born less than a mile from the church he now leads came to faith in the suburbs, felt the pull of the city for decades, and eventually received a casual text from Rick McKinley that changed everything.
Tim Osborn and Ahshuwah Hawthorne dig into what a healthy pastoral transition actually looks like from the inside — the trust required, the staff challenges, the financial pressure, and why Chris believes 90% of the success comes down to what the predecessor does. They also talk about something surprising: a noticeable shift in Portland's spiritual climate, with people showing up to church half-converted, surrendering tarot cards, and waking up at 2am sensing they need to find a church.
The conversation closes with a powerful reflection on what Imago Dei has meant to Portland — and what Chris believes the church must hold onto going forward: that the gospel is not something the church owns and distributes, but something declared upon the church first.
If you lead a church, plant a church, or care about the future of the gospel in the Pacific Northwest, this one is worth your full attention.
Find Imago Dei Community online at IDCPDX.com