Door of Hope

How did Door of Hope begin?

Door of Hope began on a Thursday in May of 2009. It originated as a small group of believers who wanted to see Jesus move in the urban core of Portland. We met at a small Mennonite church that had been converted into a yoga studio in the Northeast Alberta Arts district. By the end of May, much to our surprise, we had outgrown the space which only held about one hundred people or so. Thanks to the generosity of Hinson Baptist, a door opened in June for us to move to the Hinson Annex. The building was an old Assemblies of God church one block off of Hawthorne in Southeast Portland. Since then, we have been overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness to draw so many from this community to Himself through the vibrant people of Door of Hope. Our history as a church has only just begun, but we know if we remain unwavering in our faithfulness to the gospel that we can with confidence believe God for great things. For Jesus said in John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.”

It’s hard to believe it was 1996 when Josh met his wife Darcy here in Southeast Portland. Neither of them knew Jesus and would have laughed at the thought of leading a church – let alone a church three blocks away from the very apartment building Darcy lived in when they met. They have always loved this city and are humbled to be a part of a movement that is declaring the beauty of Jesus Christ to a place that so desperately needs Him.

Where did you get the name Door of Hope?

The name Door of Hope comes from the book of Hosea chapter two where God promises to restore the people of Israel despite their rebellion. “There I will give her back her vineyards, 
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.” The meaning of this promise is connected to the name of this valley. Achor means “trouble” and appears only three times in scripture. The first mention is in the book of Joshua when Achan (which means “troubler”) steals treasure from Jericho and brings sin into the camp of Israel resulting in Israel’s defeat at the battle of Ai. God reveals to Joshua the reason for their defeat and Achan and his family are put to death in a valley outside the camp, which is the called “Achor,” or “trouble.” The valley of trouble is A PLACE WHERE SIN IS JUDGED.

The next time Achor appears is in Isaiah chapter sixty-five where God makes a promise to restore Israel, “Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me.” So the valley of trouble was a place where sin is judged, but now becomes A PLACE WHERE REST IS SECURED.

Finally we have our passage in Hosea and find that the Valley of trouble, a place where sin is judged and rest is secured, is also A PLACE WHERE HOPE IS FOUND.

We believe the valley of Achor is a picture of the Cross of Christ. On the cross Jesus appeased the wrath of the Father and took away the sins of the world. At the cross our sins are forgiven, rest is secured and hope is found. The Cross of Christ is our Door of Hope!

Discipline Your Devotion from Door of Hope on Vimeo.