Miracle in Portland: Dan Wolf Installed as Rise Church is Blessed with Building, Congregation in Merger
When Reverend Dan Wolf and his family first moved to Portland in July 2020, they sensed that Isaiah 61:3-4 was going to be a significant Scripture for them and the church they were called to plant. Dan recalls,
“God was calling us to plant a church with roots deep in the Lord and in the heart of the city of Portland. But we had no idea how God would accomplish this, especially in the challenging post-Christian context in the middle of a pandemic. We set out on mission to build relationships with neighbors and co-workers and slowly built a team who wanted to learn how to follow Jesus on mission. As the newly minted “Rise Church”, we stepped out in faith and sought to make disciples, trusting that God would build his church. We hosted Alphas, started Discovery Bible Studies, and started worshipping monthly.”
In the first year, they worked hard to build relationships and partnerships with other local churches to join in what God was already doing in Portland. One of those pastors was named Father Jim King. He planted a local Charismatic Episcopal Church congregation called Church of the Holy Spirit and faithfully pastored his people for 33 years. Over lunch in July 2021, Reverend Jim shared that he planned to retire in the next few years and that they were beginning the search for their new pastor. He asked if Rev. Dan would consider being a candidate. Carrie and Dan prayed and clearly discerned that they did not feel called to leave the ADNE and ACNA. Additionally, they sensed God’s desire to plant a church with a vision to reach the unchurched in Portland rather than revitalization. Dan also shared that he loved their congregation and that if they wanted to explore being recommissioned behind a young church plant, he would love to prayerfully discuss that option. Dan commented, “I honestly thought that would be the end of the conversation. But in January 2023, Jim contacted me and shared that he had spoken with his leadership team and his Bishop, and they wanted to start taking steps toward joining Rise Church. This led to a six-month prayer, discernment, and transition process as God moved His anointed plan forward. On June 18 of this year, the church gatherd to celebrate Jim’s 33 years of Gospel ministry and Church of the Holy Spirit joined the ADNE and Rise Church.”
Before a packed congregation Bishop Andrew commented, “When first I came to the United States in 2009 I was reading Bob Slosser’s book Miracle in Darien. This book chronicled a significant move of God’s Spirit in the 1980’s in Connecticut. I knew this history of renewal was important, as the church I was called to lead in Greenwich would reap where the Spirit had sown in that season. And this came to pass. All these years later, I stand today in a church in Portland, Maine that was founded over thirty years ago when two members of the same Darien congregation felt God’s call to plant a Spirit-filled, missional church to reach the city of Portland. And today, following the same leading of the Spirit, their Bishop has humbly passed the baton to me and to Reverend Dan Wolf, because in Dan’s mission, and in the vision of the ADNE, they recognize the same Spirit-filled purpose and calling. Only anointed humility could make this possible. Today we witness a miracle in Portland.”
He added, “This is the kind of moment that you pray for forty years and suddenly find yourself standing in the middle of. And if I had to choose a shepherd and his wife who I would entrust such a miracle to, it would be Reverend Dan and Carrie Wolf.” Congregant, Carlene Hill Byron praised Dan’s shepherd heart, "What I've found remarkable about Father Dan is his ability to attend to so many different people. As a newcomer to the church who volunteered by email for a ministry project, I was pleasantly surprised to have him follow up in person at church several days later–just making sure that the ministry team had connected with me. Keeping track of a growing parish full of people and ministries is a big task, and he seems to be well equipped for it."
Dan reflected, “I am struck by three things. First of all, God is the author of our stories. Three years ago, receiving a renovated church home (with very little debt) and 25 faithful saints was not part of our church planting strategy. But God knows the end from the beginning. Second, God is faithfully building his church. He’s gifted us a church in downtown Portland, letting us put our roots down deep. Third, this past Sunday as the CEC Bishop preached, we are all running a long, obedient race that started all the way back with the apostles. Jim and his wife Deborah ran with passion and perseverance for 33 years. We are building on the foundation of their faithfulness. Please pray that God empowers us to run our leg with wisdom and strength.”
Prayer that God will use this facility to help reach unchurched Portlander and plant more churches in Maine and New England. And pray for God to raise up the next generation of leaders here in Portland who we will one day pass the baton to continue rebuilding the ancient ruins in the name of Jesus.”
Rise Church gathers for Sunday worship at 10:00 am at 1047 Congress St, Portland, ME
Photos by Ashleigh Coleman Photography.
