'Joy Took Over the Streets': Christians Come Together in Portland during 'Riots to Revival'

Andrea Morris : Aug 10, 2020
CBN News

"My kids witnessed history in Portland tonight. For me, this is all about the next generation ... and what we leave behind for them. We MUST choose revival. They saw thousands and thousands (still don't have an accurate number but was the largest gathering yet) gather blocks from violent streets without fear and sing their hearts out. They saw genuine racial reconciliation. They saw hundreds get radically saved and set free. They watched hundreds run down to the river to get baptized. Just like the Jesus People movement days. They witnessed God show up in a place so many have written off..." -Sean Feucht, Facebook post re Portland gathering

[CBN News] Thousands of people united in Portland, Oregon Saturday night for praise, worship, and to hear Bethel Music's Sean Feucht speak. (Image: Sean Feucht-Facebook)

Feucht told Fox News that a crowd of 4,000-7,000 worshippers showed up at Waterfront Park for the "Riots to Revival" event in an effort to heal the brokenness that has affected Americans.

"White, Black, Hispanic—we came and released our song of hope over this city," Feucht said. "People gave their life to Jesus. Hundreds of people. We baptized people in the river behind us. There was so much joy that took over the streets of that city last night."

Images from the gathering show most people not wearing a mask. When questioned about the lack of pandemic precautions being taken, many attendees didn't seem too concerned.

"My faith is in God," one person said. "Not fear of COVID-19. I'm good."

"We're not big mask people so it doesn't bother us," another person said.

While these worshippers were seeking God to spread His hope and healing, across town rioters were tearing down the city in sharp contrast.

A few miles away from the worship site, protesters destroyed a fence, vandalized a dumpster, and then set it on fire.

Rioters moved over to the Portland Police Association building where their destructive path continued. After breaking a window, they entered the building and intentionally started a fire. Police declared the scene a riot and urged everyone to leave the area.

"A riot was declared after a group broke into the @PPAVigil offices, started a fire, and continued to feed the fire more fuel. This is a terribly dangerous situation. Officers moved the crowd so the fire could be extinguished before it could grow out of control."

Several arrests were made after protesters threw glass bottles and paint balloons at the police, injuring three officers and sending two of them to the hospital.

Protests over racial injustice and police brutality have gone on for nearly 75 days in Portland, leaving many wondering when these persistent and at times violent demonstrations will end. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here