Jesus in the Upper Left

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

December 13, 2025 56 mins

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Money is one of the biggest realities every ministry leader faces, especially in the Portland metro and the Pacific Northwest. In this episode, Tim and Gabe welcome Ahshuwah back to the show, then jump into a practical conversation about fundraising, church planting models, generosity discipleship, and what it looks like to build sustainable ministry without letting money drive the mission.

You will hear the ...

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Rising Back Up in Rockwood: The Story of As Is Church with Pastor Scott Bradley

In this powerful episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Gabe and Tim sit down with Scott Bradley, pastor of As Is Church and founder of the Underground PDX youth program. Scott shares the raw, hopeful story of what God is doing in one of the most overlooked and challenged neighborhoods in Oregon — Rockwood, the most diverse and densely populat...

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What happens when two pastors from the Pacific Northwest take a trip to the UK and accidentally walk straight into worship at Westminster Abbey, visit thriving churches in Liverpool, Bristol, and London, and learn from global leaders working toward gospel collaboration and city transformation?

In this episode, Pastor Gabe Kolstad and Pastor Tim Osborn unpack the biggest lessons they brought home — and why they matter f...

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What happens when a neighborhood church opens a donation-based coffee shop and commits to long-haul presence in Portland’s South Tabor? Meet Brett Prior (lead/founding pastor) and Taylor Bolan (associate pastor) from The Genesis Project Portland and The Porch coffee shop. We dig into belonging vs. loneliness in PDX, why trust takes time, partnering with Kellogg Middle School, launching student ministry, and how a blac...

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"We want to work together to see new churches started in and around the greater Portland area." Join Gabe Kolstad as he sits down with his friend Virgil Brown, pastor of Redemption Church and the new SEND City Missionary for the Portland Metro. Virgil shares his journey as a pastor and church planter, highlighting the pivotal role of the SEND Network in providing a tribe, resources, and a supportive brotherh...

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July 28, 2025 40 mins

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Is a "Quiet Revival" happening in the UK, and are similar spiritual shifts underway in Portland? Join Gabe Kolstad and Tim Osborn as they dive into the UK's "Quiet Revival Report," exploring its surprising findings about the normalization and cultural attractiveness of Christian faith. They discuss whether these trends—including the remarkable return of young adults to the church and a deeper ...

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June 27, 2025 50 mins

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"God told me, 'Not this one. He has a plan for you.'" Join Gabe Kolstad as he welcomes Lance Orton, a leader at City Team Portland, and Elise Galis, program director of Together PDX for an incredible conversation about making friends, engaging city leaders, and seeing God's redemptive work. Lance shares his raw, vulnerable testimony: from a privileged youth to a decade-long battle with addicti...

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Join Gabe Kolstad as he talks with his good friend Sean Thomé, a leader with Expand Network and Multiply PDX. Sean shares his incredible journey from growing up overseas and competitive surfing to a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Hear how his youth pastor's hands-on discipleship shaped his philosophy: pursue Jesus first, make reproducing disciples, and then trust Jesus to build His church. Sean transparently...

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This week on Jesus in the Upper Left we have a compilation of highlights from several of our top episodes! First, we hear from Jake and Madison Nagy about the unique opportunities for ministry they have found through their house church network Kainos Church! Then, Kirk Petersen shares about his work with Alpha and how to capitalize on the shifting culture of the Pacific Northwest to share the Gospel in new ways. Final...

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Join Tim Osborn and Pete Armstrong as they welcome Derrill Corbin, the senior pastor of Mannahouse, for an insightful conversation about leadership, multiplication, and loving the city of Portland. Derrill shares his personal journey, from a childhood connection to the church to unexpectedly stepping into senior leadership. He unpacks the core DNA of a multiplying church, emphasizing that every individual is made to m...

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Join Pete Armstrong and Gabe Kolstad as they welcome Pete and Christy, a new church planting couple in the Portland area. In this inspiring conversation, Pete and Christy share their journey of stepping back from past ministry, learning to listen to God's leading, and their intentional approach of coming to Portland as learners. Discover their experiences of finding community, partnering with existing ministries,...

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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 serving in India, Matt shares the formative experiences that shaped his understanding of ministry and prepared him for the unique challenges and unexpected blessings of plantin...

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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, and cultivating a gospel-centered culture. Discover practical insights on identifying potential leaders, structuring a residency program, and overcoming challenges in trai...

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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 transformative power of using our experiences to serve others. Dive into a discussion about the correlation between spiritual disciplines and outreach engagement, and discover practical in...

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April 3, 2025 52 mins

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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 ministry in this region. He emphasizes the importance of context, humility, and empowering the next generation of church leaders. Discover how the Evergreen Network is fostering ...

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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 fostering and family support to music programs and church community, Jason and Tara share their journey of faith, vulnerability, and practical love. Learn how they balance their ...

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March 16, 2025 28 mins

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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 innovative "Dying to Restart" model, a new church is emerging, fueled by faith, community support, and a vision for renewal. Hear how Erin and her team are navigating this...

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February 21, 2025 49 mins

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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 mission, and how an apartment ministry taught them invaluable lessons about community. They also dive into the realities of leading house churches, balancing bivocational work, and th...

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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 in Santa Cruz, and what it means to reach people in a post-Christian culture.

We dive into the urgency of mission, the role of theological education, and how churches c...

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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 explore faith in a relational and non-threatening way.  Discover how Alpha addresses spiritual hunger, engages skeptics, and creates a space for Holy Spirit-directed self-discove...

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