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Unlikely: Setting Aside Our Differences to Live Out the Gospel
A beautiful and surprisingly inspirational story about the unique partnership between a group of churches and the mayor of Portland, who came together to positively impact their city and encourage others to do the same.
Our dream is to help change the mindset of the city about the church, and the mindset of the church about the city.
Portland is among the most unchurched and politically progressive cities in the nation. With its unique edge—from a popular television show dedicated to its eccentricity to hosting the country’s largest naked bike ride—you wouldn’t expect Portland to be home to one of the most successful partnerships between local government and area churches. But it is.
In 2007, Kevin Palau and a few dozen pastors approached Portland’s mayor and posed the How can we serve you with no strings attached? Officials identified five initial areas of need—hunger, homelessness, healthcare, the environment, and public schools—and so began a partnership, CityServe, between the city and a band of churches seeking to live out the gospel message. Since then, the CityServe model has spread like wildfire, inspiring communities across the country to take up the cause in their own cities.
Unlikely not only tells the story of the inception of CityServe, but also challenges readers to evaluate their understanding of the gospel. Today’s church finds itself torn between social justice and direct proclamation. Unlikely proposes a both/and scenario, showing how the gospel can truly penetrate a region—through word and deed.
CityServe is proof that when differences can be put aside for a worthy cause, real change can be attained, and unlikely beauty is born.
Our dream is to help change the mindset of the city about the church, and the mindset of the church about the city.
Portland is among the most unchurched and politically progressive cities in the nation. With its unique edge—from a popular television show dedicated to its eccentricity to hosting the country’s largest naked bike ride—you wouldn’t expect Portland to be home to one of the most successful partnerships between local government and area churches. But it is.
In 2007, Kevin Palau and a few dozen pastors approached Portland’s mayor and posed the How can we serve you with no strings attached? Officials identified five initial areas of need—hunger, homelessness, healthcare, the environment, and public schools—and so began a partnership, CityServe, between the city and a band of churches seeking to live out the gospel message. Since then, the CityServe model has spread like wildfire, inspiring communities across the country to take up the cause in their own cities.
Unlikely not only tells the story of the inception of CityServe, but also challenges readers to evaluate their understanding of the gospel. Today’s church finds itself torn between social justice and direct proclamation. Unlikely proposes a both/and scenario, showing how the gospel can truly penetrate a region—through word and deed.
CityServe is proof that when differences can be put aside for a worthy cause, real change can be attained, and unlikely beauty is born.
193 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2015
15 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 23, 2015
Sam Adams was the first openly gay mayor in a major U.S. city. Kevin Palau is the son of evangelist Luis Palau. Their worldviews are miles apart yet Kevin Palau befriended Adams and they remain friends to this day. That might seem like an unlikely friendship but that's what Kevin Palau believes to be a symptom of a Christian simply following Jesus' command to love. And the love didn't stop there. Unlikely is the story of Kevin Palau's friendship with Sam Adams, and how Palau and thousands of other Christians around the Portland metropolitan area partnered (and continue to partner) with Portland political leaders, school officials, the LGBT community, and many others to "seek the welfare of the city" of Portland. (Jeremiah 29:4-7)
One of many examples Palau offers is the story of Roosevelt High School. After the Crips and Bloods moved into the neighborhood the school was impacted by shootings, drugs, and other gang associated problems. Most people simply moved away. By 2008 Roosevelt, a high school designed for 1,600, had a student population of 450. The facility was dilapidated. The football team lost every game they played--for five years in a row--by an average of 46 points. It was the last place anyone would want their kids to attend. Then Southlake church got involved. They mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers, and painters, and landscapers, and logistical support. In one weekend the congregation of Southlake performed a major makeover on the Roosevelt facility. But it didn't end there. The Christians from Southlake continued to invest in Roosevelt, and not just the facility, but they invest in the lives of the students too. The partnership became so strong that the principal of Roosevelt High School invited the Southlake church volunteer coordinator to set up an office there at the school and to serve as the Roosevelt High School on-site volunteer coordinator. One Southlake church member, Neil Lomax, happens to be a former NFL quarterback. And he decided to take a position as the football team's offensive coordinator (during a time when his own son played at another Portland area high school). Lomax and others turned the football team around: they even made the state playoffs. But it's not just the football team that turned around. The whole school is headed in a great direction as a result of the involvement of Southlake church and others.
What happened at Roosevelt turned out to be catching. As of 2014 there are more than 250 official church-school partnerships. And Palau writes of many other way's in which Christians are impacting the people of Portland including engagement in helping victims of the sex trade, engagement in the foster care system, medical clinics, prisoner reentry programs, and gang violence prevention.
I'm just touching on Palau's message. The book is filled with compelling stories. There's the story of the surprising unity among the churches of Portland. The story of the Seven project, an annual seven day period when Christians fast and pray for Portland. And the story of similar movements happening in other major cities around the world including New York, Houston, Sacramento, and Denver.
All this, according to Kevin Palau, is the result of taking the model of Jesus' life seriously:
“Jesus lived a life of radical inclusiveness, having ‘table fellowship’ with those far outside what would have been socially and religiously acceptable for a rabbi of his day. ...Mary Magdalene, a woman known to be loose, spending money on expensive perfume and pouring it on his feet? Enjoying parties with tax collectors and other collaborators with Rome? They were all way out of bounds in his day. And of course he heard about it from the religious establishment.
"What about the time he spent hours alone (in a visible public place) with a heretical woman who turned out to be a serial adulterer? Jesus later told an infuriating story in praise of this same heretical bunch. Most Americans know it as the story of the Good Samaritan." (Palau)
When Palau and other Christians reached out to Sam Adams and others in the spirit of Jesus Christ, an unlikely story resulted. It's a story that challenged me as a Christian--a Christian who, like many of us living in the information age, often attempts to impact the world from his keyboard. It's a story that inspired me to follow Christ differently, to follow him in a way that includes engaging people in my community at a deeper level. It's one of the most unlikely, uplifting, and fascinating stories I've read in years. And it's a story you'll want to read too.
One of many examples Palau offers is the story of Roosevelt High School. After the Crips and Bloods moved into the neighborhood the school was impacted by shootings, drugs, and other gang associated problems. Most people simply moved away. By 2008 Roosevelt, a high school designed for 1,600, had a student population of 450. The facility was dilapidated. The football team lost every game they played--for five years in a row--by an average of 46 points. It was the last place anyone would want their kids to attend. Then Southlake church got involved. They mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers, and painters, and landscapers, and logistical support. In one weekend the congregation of Southlake performed a major makeover on the Roosevelt facility. But it didn't end there. The Christians from Southlake continued to invest in Roosevelt, and not just the facility, but they invest in the lives of the students too. The partnership became so strong that the principal of Roosevelt High School invited the Southlake church volunteer coordinator to set up an office there at the school and to serve as the Roosevelt High School on-site volunteer coordinator. One Southlake church member, Neil Lomax, happens to be a former NFL quarterback. And he decided to take a position as the football team's offensive coordinator (during a time when his own son played at another Portland area high school). Lomax and others turned the football team around: they even made the state playoffs. But it's not just the football team that turned around. The whole school is headed in a great direction as a result of the involvement of Southlake church and others.
What happened at Roosevelt turned out to be catching. As of 2014 there are more than 250 official church-school partnerships. And Palau writes of many other way's in which Christians are impacting the people of Portland including engagement in helping victims of the sex trade, engagement in the foster care system, medical clinics, prisoner reentry programs, and gang violence prevention.
I'm just touching on Palau's message. The book is filled with compelling stories. There's the story of the surprising unity among the churches of Portland. The story of the Seven project, an annual seven day period when Christians fast and pray for Portland. And the story of similar movements happening in other major cities around the world including New York, Houston, Sacramento, and Denver.
All this, according to Kevin Palau, is the result of taking the model of Jesus' life seriously:
“Jesus lived a life of radical inclusiveness, having ‘table fellowship’ with those far outside what would have been socially and religiously acceptable for a rabbi of his day. ...Mary Magdalene, a woman known to be loose, spending money on expensive perfume and pouring it on his feet? Enjoying parties with tax collectors and other collaborators with Rome? They were all way out of bounds in his day. And of course he heard about it from the religious establishment.
"What about the time he spent hours alone (in a visible public place) with a heretical woman who turned out to be a serial adulterer? Jesus later told an infuriating story in praise of this same heretical bunch. Most Americans know it as the story of the Good Samaritan." (Palau)
When Palau and other Christians reached out to Sam Adams and others in the spirit of Jesus Christ, an unlikely story resulted. It's a story that challenged me as a Christian--a Christian who, like many of us living in the information age, often attempts to impact the world from his keyboard. It's a story that inspired me to follow Christ differently, to follow him in a way that includes engaging people in my community at a deeper level. It's one of the most unlikely, uplifting, and fascinating stories I've read in years. And it's a story you'll want to read too.
August 26, 2015
Great book. It's clear and to the point. I'm biased because Kevin is a good friend, but this book captures an important angle on what The Church can and should look like in the 21st century. It also communicates in better balance than anyone I've read the values of the gospel and the values of social justice...which by the way illustrates the truth that the two are inseparably related. I also love Kevin's personal humble journey. He says "Through my struggles and doubts and fears, I have found myself not more "right" in my interpretation of the gospel but more humbled by it- more in love with it."
October 10, 2015
The power of finding common ground with those we disagree with, serving and loving with humility. Particularly poignant was how the churches working with Sam Adams continued to work with him during and after his scandal. Instead of publicly berating our political leaders, including our president, why don't we seek to work with them?
October 23, 2024
At first I was hesitant to read this one because I was weary of heresy, but I was excited to discover that my exact preconceptions were the ones being challenged in the book. As Christians we may get comfortable in our faith/doctrine/way of live and refuse to shake hands across the aisle with those of different viewpoints. As the author makes clear, we mustn’t compromise our beliefs, but we can still extend love to others of all backgrounds as they were created in God’s image. This love is exactly what Jesus displays when eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. In the past few years I’ve gotten so wrapped up around cleaning up my own life that I lose sight often that Jesus meets us where we are at, and as the body of Christ, we need to take part in meeting others where they are at through our love.
I’m glad that this book challenged me, and it seriously made me sit and reflect on my own Christian journey. I would recommend for any Christian to read this book. Even if you don’t agree with everything the author says about how he works his ministry, it should cause reflection and encourage serious thought about how to righty serve Christ in the community.
I’m glad that this book challenged me, and it seriously made me sit and reflect on my own Christian journey. I would recommend for any Christian to read this book. Even if you don’t agree with everything the author says about how he works his ministry, it should cause reflection and encourage serious thought about how to righty serve Christ in the community.
September 12, 2020
This was an inspiring book, one that all American Christians would do well to read, especially given this polarizing time we find ourselves in. The churches of Portland are living out the gospel in unity. So very refreshing.
February 22, 2016
An encouraging book. Sometimes I really wonder what impact the church is having. This writing shares motives and outreaches the church is having in Portland and many other places. Challenging and thought provoking. Recommended highly!
May 20, 2025
Not bad, not really new, either. A lot of books like this spend a good deal of words complaining or pointing out all the ways we get it wrong, but this one does a good job of celebrating wins and addressing missteps. I wish he would have spent some time talking about how all this work actually lead to gospel conversations.
March 22, 2021
Great book on how to set aside differences and build bridges with people in your city and community in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus to your neighbors. Want to learn how to be a blessing to those around you, this book is a great start.
October 29, 2016
A look behind some of the recent church and public partnerships which have sprung up over the past couple of years mostly focusing around Portland Oregon.
December 25, 2018
Great book about OWNING your Community/City! Inspiring what they did!
March 6, 2019
A great read on bridging the gap between churches and secular institutions, learning how to love and serve in ways that make restorative sense to the community.
June 9, 2020
Incredible book. I wish our churches of today were following this path, instead of solely being political.
October 3, 2020
Although the idea of churches working together to make improvements in their cities is great, Palau is repetitive and rather flat and does a lot of name dropping.
March 6, 2017
Inspiring story told with honesty about mistakes made and lessons learned when a church partners with government to bring about positive change
October 13, 2015
I am not the target audience for this book, but I found it interesting. The author, evangelical Christian Kevin Palau (son of mega-evangelist Luis Palau), lays out a detailed Biblical argument for why Christians should actively engage in their communities to try to improve the lives of all people, setting aside their differences with elected officials and others. The introduction to the book is written by Sam Adams, the openly gay former mayor of Portland, with whom Palau partnered (along with many other church leaders and government officials) to address big problems in the city - without asking for any public dollars and with no strings attached. Palau is clear that he and Adams have numerous irreconcilable differences in their beliefs but they not only forged a meaningful working relationship that benefited the city, they became friends. They listened to one another and they didn't let the differences they couldn't resolve interfere with doing good work together. The sections of the book in which Palau sets out the Biblical supports for his approach were less interesting to me (I don't need to be convinced that there's a good reason to do what he's doing) but I enjoyed reading about how Palau, Adams and others overcame their mutual discomfort or distrust to forge strong working relationships and genuine friendships.
March 28, 2016
Quick read and good read. It wasn't the most literarily profound piece I've ever read, but that's not what Kevin was going for. He was simply telling the story of how churches in Portland banded together to meet the needs of the city in a powerful way, looking past their differences to unite around the living of the Gospel. This book got me very excited to move to Portland and become a part of the amazing movement of church unity and Gospel service that has created amazing relationships with other institutions across the city. I'm so excited to enter into a city where churches support each other, love each other, and stand together as the body of Christ in order to bring tangible redemption to the surrounding community. There are great things going on in Portland and this is an awesome read for anyone who desires to serve their city with the Gospel through the local church. Kevin's words have inspired me to serve. Good book!
April 16, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a simple message for The Church: to engage our communities despite our differences. It mostly consists of stories on how CityServe in Portland, Oregon does this in one of the most unchurched and politically progressive cities in the world. Informative read. Useful tips. It also stresses that there is no "one size fits all" model when it comes to engaging in cities, which I appreciated as our western culture, even the church, tries to create a formula for everything.
April 22, 2016
In the light of many polarizing influences in our culture today, this book was refreshing. Kevin Palau has told the story of how many diverse groups of people have united to be a blessing to the city where they live and work, the city of Portland, Oregon. Other cities and the Christian church communities could learn much by taking note of why and how they have been able to accomplish so much by working together. The overall sense of humility and cooperation was a breath of fresh air!
November 1, 2016
Simple, yet very profound look at what it really means to live out the gospel. There is a call to Christian unity that, if heeded, would change our world more than any other movement in history. This book is not theological. It doesn't dig into dogma. Instead, it focuses on the heart with which we are to live out the gospel. Portland stands as a testament to the power of prayer and unity. Unlikely partnerships leading to unlikely outcomes should be the norm for the Christian community.
July 26, 2015
I expected the book to produce what it said it would, but it turned out to be the biography of the Palau family and its various ministries all over the word...I had expected it to be (as it said it was) solely the story of evangelical churches working with and in Portland, OR...halfway thru the book and I still had no idea of how this was working ...
Disappointed.
Disappointed.
January 4, 2016
Not the most stunning writing in any literary sense, but still an important book that points out that by focusing on what we all want to make better, rather than focusing on hot-button social issues that divide us, the deeply religious and the secular can work together to help those who need a step up, and to improve their environments, with great results.
did-not-finish
July 22, 2015Didn't finish. I feel like fifty pages into a 225 page book I ought to have some idea of what the point of the book is. I didn't find that here and didn't feel compelled to keep reading.
May 26, 2016
Great book! Lots to think about and very inspiring.
April 21, 2017
I really liked this book! Very interesting to see how the church worked with the community and local government to make an impact that was far greater than any one church doing it alone. Amazing results, and would love to see more churches doing this to make an impact in our communities. I felt that the book was a sharing of his stories and experience, but also detailed enough that someone could read and use it in a prescriptive way to help their community move in this direction.
Read
August 27, 2017What strikes me most about this book is its humility. This is not about "Kevin Palau's Ministry," but about many, many ways God is at work and how various people, churches, and other organizations have joined together and joined in. His eagerness to praise others and willingness to admit his own mistakes are refreshing. I'm ending the day a little more hopeful about the evangelical church than I began.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews