Our Why:

Expand NW exists to partner with kingdom workers to connect people to Jesus and his church by encouraging leaders, training disciples and planting churches.

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.

Because we want to connect as many people to Jesus and his church as possible, we seek to partner with kingdom workers to expand God’s kingdom from the Northwest and beyond.

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). Over the last sixty-five years, the NWCEA has partnered with local churches and other church planting organizations to help start over twenty-five new churches, as well as to train reproducing disciple-makers and encourage pastors and leaders.

In 2020, the name of the organization changed to “Expand NW,” all with 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 NW seeks to partner with kingdom workers from the Northwest and beyond, with the intention to expand God’s kingdom in the Northwest, America, and the world for the glory of God.

Our Values:

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 (John 13).

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.