Jesus in the Upper Left

Send us Fan Mail 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. Brian shares his unique journey from the music industry to ministry, exploring the transformative power of the gospel and the importance of res...

Send us Fan Mail 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 journey, the milestones, and the unexpected turns that have shaped his ministry. In this episode, you'll discover: The Call to Portla...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Dr. Metzger shares his insights on navigating the liturgical calendar, engaging in multi-faith dialogue, and fostering a vibrant...

Send us Fan Mail 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 insights, and the often-misunderstood aspects of addiction, particularly within the context of faith. In this episode, you'll discover: The r...

Send us Fan Mail 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, heart, and hands in fostering spiritual growth, and learn how suffering can become a surprising catalyst for deeper faith. Stephen shares...

Send us Fan Mail 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 leaders and the loneliness that can accompany even the most successful ministries The dangers of measuring success solely by outcomes and neglecting the "...

Send us Fan Mail 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 into: The growing mental health crisis, particularly among adolescents and young adults The role of social media and other factors contributing to...

Send us Fan Mail 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@thrivechurchplanting.org) and Abe Figueroa from CARES Counseling. They delve into the unique challenges faced by church planters and pastors, discussing: The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Pete Armstrong and Ahshuwah Hawthorne dive into the crucial topic of mental health in the church with Jamie Califf, a licensed mental health counselor and executive director at CARES Counseling. Discover insights on: The interplay between mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health The unique challenges faced by church leaders and...

Send us Fan Mail Join Pete Armstrong and Gabe Kolstad as they sit down with Ben Sand, founder of the Contingent, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering leaders and mobilizing communities. In this thought-provoking episode, you'll discover: - The unique challenges and opportunities of living out faith in a post-Christian, libertarian city like Portland - How the church can step up and address pre...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for a power-packed mashup episode on the Jesus in the Upper Left podcast! Gabe Kolstad brings together wisdom from three ministry giants – Rick McKinley, Renee Boucher, and Tony Kriz – as they unpack the vital role of context in ministry. In this episode, you'll uncover: Why understanding your specific context is essential for effective ministry How to discern and e...

Send us Fan Mail Join Pete Armstrong and Gabe Kolstad as they sit down with Tim Osborn, a seasoned pastor and leader now serving at Western Seminary. Tim shares his incredible journey from a sun-soaked upbringing in Southern California to planting churches in the heart of Portland. In this episode, you'll discover: - How a missions conference (that Tim didn't even want to attend!) change...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Jesus in the Upper Left podcast! In this episode, Gabe Kolstad from Westside Community Church in Aloha is joined by his great friend and executive pastor, Steve Barker. Together, they delve into the unique challenges and rewards of leading from the second chair in the Pacific Northwest. 🔹 Key Topics: Introduction to Steve Barker and his background in ministry....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Upper Left Podcast, Gabe Kolstad from Westside Community Church and Ahshuwah Hawthorne from Brilliance Labs host an enlightening conversation with Steve Stratos and Ryan Moffat. Dive into the incredible journey of two churches, Vast Church and Sisters Community Church, as they navigate through conflicts, splits, and ultimately, a transformative merger rooted...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on this week's episode of the Jesus in the Upper Left podcast as we dive into a captivating conversation with Shai Linne. Shai shares his journey from Philly to Portland, exploring the intersection of art, creativity, and the church. We discuss the importance of fostering a love for the Word and the role of creativity in worship. Shai also opens up about his experienc...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this enlightening episode of "Jesus in the Upper Left" as we sit down with Dr. Leah Payne, Associate Professor of American Religious History at Portland Seminary. Dive deep into the riveting world of contemporary Christian music through the expert lens of Dr. Payne, whose extensive research offers unique insights into its profound impact on American evangelica...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in Episode #49 of "Jesus in the Upperleft," hosted by Gabe Kolstad of Westside Community Church. We dive deep with Craig Whitney from the Multiply Project, exploring innovative strategies for church growth and leadership development. Discover how your church can transform by equipping and unleashing local leaders to extend their influence. Craig shares invaluable...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this deep-diving episode of the podcast as we engage with Karen, Vice President of Academics at the Multnomah campus of Jessup University, on the vital intersections of justice, mercy, and faith. Karen brings her extensive experience in academia and her passion for biblical justice to discuss how these concepts play out in today’s complex societal landscape, especially...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this reflective episode as we explore the enriching themes of "Spiritual Formation and Simplicity" with Pastor Paul Pastor. Discover how simplifying your life can deepen your spiritual journey and bring a renewed sense of peace and purpose. 🌿 Dive into discussions about the benefits of minimalism in our spiritual practices and everyday lives. 📅 Tune in to le...

Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode, we delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of "Blue State Ministry" with Pastor Devin Smith. Join us as we discuss how faith communities can thrive and effectively minister in politically divided environments, fostering understanding and dialogue across diverse viewpoints. 🗓️ Tune in to gain insights into navigating the complex la...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this powerful episode as we sit down with Pastor Avery Stafford of Common Grounds Church to explore a successful model of collaboration and unity. Discover how bridging diverse communities and fostering cooperative efforts can lead to meaningful change and strengthen the bonds within congregations. 🤝 Learn more about Pastor Avery's work and initiatives at Common G...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, we sit down with author and church leader Joshua Butler to discuss the complexities of navigating election years as a church leader. Discover key insights and practical advice that can help faith communities remain united and impactful during politically charged times. 📚 Grab your copy of Joshua's enlightening book, "The Party Crasher":...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the heart of community and belonging in this compelling episode of 'Building Thriving Communities' as we talk with We Belong PDX. Join us as we unravel the essence of belonging and explore the transformative power it holds within communities. Discover the inspiring stories and profound insights shared by We Belong PDX as we delve into their journey of cultivati...

Send us Fan Mail Hey everyone! 🌟 Tune in to this week's episode of 'Building Thriving Communities' as we delve into insightful conversations with Brad Ketch, an expert in community development. Join us as we uncover the keys to fostering sustainable change and empowerment within communities. Discover the inspiring stories and profound insights shared by Brad as we explore the journ...

Send us Fan Mail This week on 'Jesus in the Upper Left,' we had the pleasure of hanging out with Jon Ferguson,  from Community Christian Church in Chicago, and a key player at New Thing! Jon shared invaluable insights into the journey from a simple dream to a full-fledged Church Planting Movement. His wisdom resonates deeply, offering guidance and inspiration to all dreamers and visionar...