Pastoral Staff - Scott Gilchrist

Scott Gilchrist
Senior Pastor

Scott vividly remembers the turning point in his life, which occurred when he was 19 years old. He had placed his faith in Christ as a young child, but it was at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, where he clearly heard the call to give himself completely to Jesus Christ. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, was speaking of the adventure of living wholeheartedly for Christ, and Scott realized that if he could trust Christ for his eternity, he could certainly trust Him for his life here and now. Thirty-plus years later, Scott joyfully affirms that living with and for Christ is indeed a great and fulfilling adventure.

Scott started attending Southwest as a college student at Portland State University (PSU), and after serving for four years with Campus Crusade for Christ, he became pastor of Southwest Bible Church (then known as Progress Bible Church) in 1979. Scott graduated from PSU in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts, and in 1983, he received his Master of Divinity from Western Seminary, located in Portland, Oregon.

Scott loves to see people come to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. He is passionate about teaching the Bible and helping people of all backgrounds see the riches that God has provided in His Son. People can listen to Scott's teaching on a daily radio program and at Downtown Bible Class, which is named after the large gathering of business people who meet in downtown Portland each Wednesday at noon for thirty minutes of clear, Christ-centered Bible teaching.

Scott enjoys baseball, bicycling, and woodworking as well as reading. Scott and his wife, Kristi, have five children and two grandchildren.

Click here to send Scott an e-mail.