About Us
Highland Christian Center, located in Portland, Oregon, is a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to serving our diverse congregation and the surrounding area with. We offer uplifting Sunday services and engaging midweek Bible studies to foster spiritual growth and connections. Committed to outreach initiatives, we celebrate diversity and aim to positively impact our city. Our supportive pastors inspire you on your spiritual journey, believing in God's transformative love to change the world.
About Us
Our History
Highland Christian Center began in 1903 as a small congregation aiming to impact its community. Initially located in an area with German and Polish immigrants, the church faced challenges as the community became predominantly African American. Under Pastor Samuel P. Johnson, the church adapted to address community issues, leading to growth. After several leadership changes, Dr. W. G. Hardy Jr. revitalized the church, and it eventually moved to its current location at 7600 NE Glisan Street. Today, under Dr. Shon Neyland, Highland is thriving with a vision for "The Unstoppable Church," continuing to grow and serve the community.
Dr. Shon Neyland
Senior Pastor
Dr. Shon Neyland is the Senior Pastor of Highland Christian Center (HCC) with over 35 years military experience and 20 years in pastoral roles, including as Deputy Commandant for the Chaplains Corps College. Licensed in 1988 and ordained in1990, he became an Air Force Chaplain in 1999 and retired as a Colonel, holding seven academic degrees and publishing four works.
First Lady Madeline Neyland, HCC’s Women’s Ministry, has led numerous worship teams and launched a successful women's ministry in Hawaii in 2001, providing hope and healing to many. Together, they form a powerful leadership couple at HCC.
If you're new to the area or seeking a fresh start, we welcome you to our services where you can grow in faith and connect with the community. Explore the exciting opportunities awaiting you at Highland!
Meet our Pastor
We are a Bible-centered, multicultural community church, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to discipleship to reach the lost and impact the world for Christ.
Mission
Vision
21st Century Ministry of Excellence
Values
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LOVE
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INTEGRITY
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FAITH
Priorites
CONNECTED
Connect people to Jesus Christ and to one another through empowered relationships
PURPOSED
Provide life-giving skills to enable believers to live to the fullest capacity
EMPOWERED
Equip the believer to serve others in the church and in the community
Our Statements Beliefs
Biblical Authority:
The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, revealing His truth and serving as the ultimate authority for life, faith, and morals. The Senior Pastor and Elders Council interpret biblical meaning for doctrine, practice, and discipline.
Basic Beliefs:
The core beliefs reflect orthodox Christianity. Members must not reject these tenets. Changes to the beliefs align with Scripture under the Senior Pastor and Elders' discretion.
The Triune God:
God is one, eternal, and revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all.
Jesus Christ:
Jesus is God incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully man. He died for our sins, rose from the dead, and intercedes for us in heaven.
The Holy Spirit:
The Spirit convicts of sin, regenerates, sanctifies, and guides believers into truth.
Holy Scriptures:
The 66 books of the Bible are divinely inspired and authoritative for salvation and faith.
Sin and Atonement:
Sin entered through Adam, corrupting humanity. Jesus’ sacrifice provides full atonement, sufficient for all who repent and believe.
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Grace and Repentance:
God’s grace enables all to turn from sin and follow righteousness. Repentance is a heartfelt turning from sin to receive forgiveness and spiritual life.​
Justification and Adoption:
Through faith and repentance, believers are pardoned, regenerated, and adopted as God’s children.
Sanctification:
Sanctification, a work of grace, cleanses believers and empowers holy living through the Holy Spirit’s infilling.
The Church:
The Church, as Christ’s Body, exists to worship, disciple, and fulfill His redemptive mission in the world.
Baptism and Communion:
Baptism symbolizes new life in Christ, and Communion commemorates His sacrifice and unites believers in faith.
Divine Healing:
God heals through faith and medicine.
Second Coming and Judgment:
Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Eternal life is promised to believers; the unrepentant face eternal separation from God.
Marriage and Sexuality:
Marriage is a sacred union of one man and one woman. Sexual intimacy belongs within this covenant, and all forms of sexual immorality are sin.