About Us

The Leaders, Mission, & Beliefs
of Garden Church

Vision and Mission

Vision

We exist to know, enjoy, and express the love of Jesus together.

Key Verses

Mission

We live out our vision by seeking Jesus holistically, loving each other authentically, serving humbly, and sending missionally.

Join us Sunday

Core Ministry

We grow our discipleship to Jesus through Sunday Gatherings, Life Groups, and Disciple Groups. In each of these, we incorporate the following elements:

Serve | Listen | Eat | Rest | Pray | Share

Why Jesus?


Core Values

Action

We are willing to take risks to live out the things we say we believe. This moves us to take practical steps that lead to meaningful change. We are compelled by the love of God. We believe that understanding the finished work of Jesus gives us a beautiful sense of urgency to see His kingdom come.

Restoration

We believe that the resurrection of Jesus gives us a new way to see the world. Because of God’s victory, we never look at broken things the same way. Jesus gives us freedom to fully acknowledge the pain and problems in our world, but to see them through the lens of an ever-present hope.

Truth

According to Jesus, truth is not just a set of facts to memorize — Truth is a person who can be deeply known. We believe that the gospel of Jesus is the definitive expression of God’s love toward humanity. With Jesus as the goal of our pursuit, we are free to ask questions and engage our intellect in order to gain the deepest understanding.

Justice

We believe that the gospel of Jesus is the unstoppable power to set wrong things right. Justice leads us to pursue long-term systematic changes in culture, communities, and in individual lives. We strive to live out the principles of the Gospel in every situation.

Love

Jesus teaches by word and deed that the highest form of love is the ability to lay down your life for someone else. True love leads us to seek the genuine welfare of others. We cultivate a deeper love for God and others by building families of faith throughout the city. We share this love freely by loving and serving our city in practical ways.


Our Beliefs 📚

THE BIBLE

We believe the Scriptures are inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind. God’s Word is true, authoritative and sufficient.

 

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
  • Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
  • Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

 

GOD

We believe there is only One True God — revealed in three persons…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God’s Son, Jesus was both human and divine. Jesus Christ died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin. Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will one day physically return.

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe all Christians receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when they experience salvation from sins. The Holy Spirit helps us to resist sin, encourages us, gives us boldness for witnessing, and power to live for Christ. All Christians should seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit just as believers were filled in the New Testament times.

FALL OF MAN

We believe though originally good, man willingly fell to sin — ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

SALVATION

We believe any person can have restored fellowship with God through trusting in Jesus Christ and accepting Christ’s offer of forgiveness for sin.

SANCTIFICATION

We believe sanctification initially occurs at the point of salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy in God’s sight, but is also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.

BAPTISM & COMMUNION

We believe and practice two ordinances. Water baptism by immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and — Holy communion (the Lord’s Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation.

THE CHURCH

We believe the Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe ‘the Church’ is the body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Meet the Pastor

Dustin joined Garden Church as lead pastor in 2024 as part of his work with Go Church. He and his family have been doing ministry in Portland together since moving here in 2021 after they planted a church in Houston, Texas.Together Dustin and his wife Dawn have three kids, a love for Portland, and a desire to be part of God’s movement in the city.

Contact Dustin


Ministry Leaders

Here are the people who help things run everyday.

Caleb Iorg

EXECUTIVE PASTOR

Emma Goossen

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Rachel Davis

KIDS & COMMUNICATION

Kyle Davis

VIDEO & BROADCASTS

Daniel Minter

WORSHIP LEADER

Meet the Founding Pastor

Aaron and Andrea moved to Portland to start Garden Church in 2015. In May 2021, Aaron transitioned out of the lead pastor role and currently supports Garden Church in an advisory role. The Bennett family now lives in Georgia but has a deep love for Portland and is Garden Church's biggest supporter! Have questions about any of this? Reach out to us below!

REACH OUT


Our Networks

The Send Network

"We believe God uses church planting to heal brokenness."

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International Missions Board

"A multitude from every language, people, tribe, and nation worshipping Jesus."

IMB



Address

Garden Church

75 NW Couch St
Portland, Oregon
97209


Questions?

Contact us. We would love to hear from you.👇