CREO IS RELATIONSHIPS- PUT YOURSELF ON OUR MAP!
Our friends love creatively expressing God’s Kingdom in our cities, so that our lives and communities are transformed by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Drop your pin on our map! Click the ‘Add Marker’ pin icon on the editable map here or fill out our online form here.
OUR HISTORY
CREO is a collective of churches, orgs, & covocational friends committed to multiplication through relationships, innovation, and a shared commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our desire is not simply to plant more churches, but to create a multiplication culture that sparks movement and brings gospel transformation. As a ‘centered-set’ collective, our CREO Movement Team encourages all voices to share their stories & convictions. We, as a team, affirm and confess that Jesus is Lord of all- a truth centered in core, credal, orthodox teaching in the gospels (Matt 16:16, John 20:28), in Pauls letters (Php 2:6-11, 1 Cor 15:3-7), also contained in the earliest expressions of the good news (Peter to Cornelius’ family in Acts 10:38-43). We also highly appreciate the historical centering & unity found in the Apostles Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Forging this collective of Kingdom-advancing pioneers was led by Jeff Sorvik (EFCA Multiplication Director). In 2014, he had a dream to bring together creative, multiplication-minded, Jesus-centered women and men, to a Future Travelers learning community with Alan Hirsch. (Aaron Loy, Mike Jarrell, and Jeff Pankratz, part of our current Movement Team, were invited into this community.) For three years, Jeff built a team around the goals of ‘multiplying everything’, and many new friendships and ministry opportunities were forged. Tragically, in February of 2017, Jeff was killed in a house fire. He is now experiencing what his longing for all of us had always been- to be home with Jesus. We proudly carry on his dream to help others to pursue Jesus’ mission on earth, innovating for His Kingdom in creative ways. Listen to a talk Jeff gave a few months before his death about Missional incarnation.
CREO Director Mike Jarrell with CREO Founder Jeff Sorvik (right) who went home to Jesus, February 4 2017.
OUR Values
The following six values shape all that we are, and do, as a united collective
Hosting Parties & Having Fun
Jesus starts parties. Dinners, gatherings, outdoor hikes, boat trips & more are all His daily playground. All good missionaries know the power of social engagement. Whether you are called to Spain, Italy, Iceland or Portland Oregon, we know people won't move spiritually until they are connected socially. In other words, the Gospel will not be heard until our front doors open, our tables are set, and we practice the art of hospitality, celebration, and party. (Luke 5:29, John 2:8, Matt 11:19)
Giving Permission, Freedom & Grace
Jesus takes the pressure off. Instead of intimidation, He uses invitation to build His Kingdom in creative, life-giving ways. He freely gives diverse giftings and callings to His followers. He invites us & challenges us to use those gifts to equip everyone to minister to others. We agree with Jesus, give you permission to play, and offer relational support you need to extend His grace to those around you. (John 21, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4)
Hearing Womens & Mens Voices Equally
Jesus listens to & empowers each one. Whether it is a weary band of fishermen (His disciples) to follow Him, a young woman (Mary Magdalene) to tell the report of His resurrection, a young business-minded married couple (Aquila & Priscilla) to network His church, or a murderous zealot (Paul & his teams) to catalyze the world-wide gospel movement…Jesus values every voice. We are committed to hearing every voice in our collective- no matter what your background- and helping send you to extend Jesus’ Kingdom where you live, work & play. (Matthew 10:16, John 20:21)
Taking Risks & Embracing Adventure
Jesus knows the road ahead is risky. Taking up our own cross, and dying to our own plans, means we learn to embrace the adventure He has for us, including opposition. Good news is, that we don’t go alone in the journey! We provide relationships and connections to go with you on the path Jesus has for you. If it is an adventure worth having, it is worth having with friends! We achieve more together, overcoming greater obstacles, when we partner with one another and face the risks as they come. (Luke 8:1-3, 9:6, 2 Tim 3:12)
Centering on Jesus & His Gospel
Jesus will always be our center. Instead of ‘whos in’ or ‘whos out’ of our social clubs, Jesus invites people to stop living for our own kingdoms, and instead give their allegiance to Him & His Kingdom- the Kingdom of God- simultaneously both here on earth, and also in heaven. Life, both now and for eternity, is only found in giving allegiance to Jesus as Lord, and extending His Kingdom of grace, truth, love, righteousness and peace in our own cities, communities & cultures. (Mark 1:15, Luke 4:43, Acts 14:22)
Being Holy Spirit Dependent
Jesus needed to be filled with the Spirit. Jesus empowered by the Spirit, began and effectively carried out His Father’s mission. The first church needed the daily filling of Holy Spirit to engage new cultures with the gospel, establish new Jesus-followers into local churches, & entrust new elders and servants of the gospel to continue Jesus’ mission. We are deeply aware of our need to be daily empowered, filled, and guided by Holy Spirit to build a multiplication culture, honoring Jesus in all we do. (Luke 4:14, Acts 1:4, Hebrews 2:4)
OUR DISTINCTIVES
As we expand outward these 4 distinctives help guide our mission into the future
Communitas
These are deep relationships forged in the context of adventure and adversity. As leaders provoked into the great adventure of the mission of Jesus, we cannot risk going alone. Together we commit to be a source of strength, security and support for one another. Communitas characterizes our weekly online CREO Conversations.
Multiplying Everything
Together we commit to diligently and prayerfully work towards multiplication on every level; disciples of Jesus, churches and networks. Jesus sends His followers, empowered by His Spirit, to creatively expand His kingdom through ordinary people and situations. CREO’s Blog, Youtube, Podcast, books & resources give us fuel for this.
Raising and Releasing
Everyone is called to help elevate others into all that God has for them. We foster apprenticing cultures where each person reaches a hand forward for personal growth, and a hand backward to help & encourage someone else. Our CREO coaches, and our accredited Personal Development Cadre capture this well.
Collaborative Coalitions
Together, we commit to create a culture of collaboration. Starting with your own team or church family, we support local collaborastion with multiplication-minded friends that desire gospel transformation in your region. We help plan “2-Days” gatherings, host strategic prayer practices & plan an annual vacation together to foster this.