The Oregonian reported late last week that Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, pastored by Mark Driscoll, will open a nwe venue in southeast Portland, in a community known for its very liberal tendencies and “leftist politics.” According to the article, the previous owner of the building Mars Hill bought for the church said residents of the area “do not want (it) to be a church,” and the president of the local neighborhood association said the conservative, evangelical Mars Hill “seems an odd fit” for the community. Local organizations, even those supporting LGBT issues, have promised to extend a welcoming hand to their new neighbors, even as they vocally wonder why a conservative evangelical church would choose to plant a venue there.
But when speaking of the church on its blog, Mars Hill only speaks of its “collective mission to make disciples and plant churches” and seems excited and positive about the future of the venue. The church even postponed its first meeting to support a community street fair taking place that same day in the neighborhood, even organizing volunteers to help tear down the event. The Portland building is a 1900s era castle design seating about 800 people. The Mars Hill blog said the new church will be pastored by Tim Smith and will hold its first service next week.
