About Expand
Vision:
Our hearts break for people who are far from Jesus! According to Thomas Rainer, eight out of ten churches in America are in decline or plateauing. The Joshua Project estimates that 33% of the world’s population have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus.
We believe an encounter with Jesus changes everything, therefore, we want to connect people to Jesus and his church by serving leaders to expand God’s kingdom through three core ministries: encouraging pastors, training disciples, and planting churches.
Our Story:
In 1956, a group of Jesus followers from several different churches partnered together in the state of Oregon. The purpose of this partnership was to expand God’s kingdom and reach people for Jesus by collectively gathering resources to help build new church buildings and raise up new pastors in the Portland Metro area. As a result, an Oregon nonprofit organization was birthed known as the Northwest Christian Evangelistic Association (NWCEA). Since conception, the NWCEA has partnered with local churches and other church planting organizations to help start over twenty-five new churches as well as train reproducing disciple makers and encourage pastors and leaders.
In 2020 the organization’s name changed to Expand Northwest. In 2025 it became known as Expand Network, all while maintaining the same mission to connect people into a relationship with Jesus and a healthy local church but now with a much larger vision. Because of the conviction to go into all the nations, Expand Network seeks to serve leaders to exalt king Jesus and expand God’s kingdom for His glory in the US and beyond.
Our Values:
Living for God’s Praise
We believe in living as ambassadors of Jesus, as if God is making his appeal through his people; therefore, we seek to glorify God in everything we say and do.
Dependence on God’s Power
We believe it is impossible to do God’s kingdom work through our own power, wisdom and strength. Therefore, we seek to prioritize our dependency on God through prayer, fasting and obedience.
Servanthood with God’s Perspective
We believe the strategy of Jesus is to become a servant, seeking to “wash one another’s feet.” Therefore, we seek to identify where our Father is at work and partner as his servants.
Relationship with God’s People
We believe it is beneficial for God’s kingdom to collaborate with brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, we seek to prioritize relationships with God’s people and churches through service, partnerships and networking.
Unity in God’s Principles
We believe in following King Jesus and his ways found throughout the Scriptures. Therefore, we seek to prioritize unity in aligning ourselves with like minded people with God’s principles found within the Bible and the Restoration Movement.
Our History:
1956: On November 2nd, the North Willamette Christian Evangelical Association was founded. Elery Parrish was appointed as the first Executive Director.
1968: Al Tiffin appointed Executive Director.
1979: Bryan Wilhite appointed Executive Director.
1986: Dorral Campbell appointed Executive Director.
1996: Tom Brown appointed Executive Director.
2003: Name changed to Northwest Christian Evangelistic Association.
2011: Sean Thomé appointed Executive Director.
2020: Name changed to Expand Northwest.