A spiritual quest site is any geographic portal or gate through which spiritual forces can act.
Theological Background
There are several examples of spiritual quest sites in the Bible. At the early Garden of Eden as man and woman were driven out an angel was posted at the gate to guard the way to the Tree of Life (Gen. 3:24). This site has never been located. Later man try to build his own spiritual quest site, the Tower of Babel, a gate to touch God again on man's own power (early Humanism).
God creates and claims spiritual quest sites. In Genesis 28:18, Jacob awakes from a dream declaring where he slept (a spiritual quest site) the "gate to heaven" and renaming the place Bethel. In Exodus 40 after the people were obedient in preparing the temple the presence of God fills the Temple, anointing it as a spiritual quest site that moved with the Israelites. As the Israelites moved into Canaan, Shiloh became a more permanent spiritual quest site as well as Mt. Tabor, where Deborah defeated a spirit of Jezebel.
There are also spiritual quest sites claimed by the Enemy, where strongholds need to be broken and the site claimed for the Kingdom.
Neither God nor Satan have any particular interest in specific geographic locations. Both are only interested in the souls and hearts of men, and the battle is for these hearts and souls. Sites, as they have meaning, have significance only as they relate to the spiritual warfare as God completes the creation of His Kingdom.
Portland Spiritual Quest Sites
Portland includes literally hundreds of quest sites (churches, mosques, burial grounds, and more). This paper can cover only a few key ones. This is intended as a draft paper only, an feedback is greatly appreciated.Baptist Church Near Hillsboro
The original building is located six miles from Hillsboro at the intersection of West Union and Dick roads, and is the oldest Protestant structure west of the Rockies and is still standing at its original location in Oregon. The church is on the roster of the National Register of Historic Places. The first sermon by a Baptist minister in Oregon was on February 8, 1845. The message was preached by Rev. Vincent Snelling in the home of David Lennox to a church of seven members at West Union about six miles northwest of Hillsboro. The church was organized on May 25, 1844. This church has the distinction of being the oldest Baptist Church to be organized west of the Rocky Mountains. The church was organized in the home of David Lennox, who was part of the 1843 immigration to Oregon and the captain of that train, traveling in the lead. He would not allow his company to travel on Sunday, using Sunday to read God's word and hold prayers in their tent. Snelling came to Oregon in 1844, and was the first Baptist minister to preach in pioneer land.
Willamette Stone
A surveyor's monument very near (about a mile) from the highest point of the city. Specifically it is located in Willamette Stone State Park, just off Skyline Drive. (Note: Highest point of the city is NOT Council Crest, as reported by some. It's further north nearer the TV tower.)
It is from this point that all lands east to Idaho, north to Canada, south to California, and west to the Pacific Ocean were laid out. The mark was established on June 4, 1851 by John R. Preston. It is located at 45 degrees, 31 minutes, and 10.831 seconds latitude and 122 degrees, 44 minutes, and 33.551 seconds longitude. It lines up with Portland's Stark street. The reason for the unusual location (in latitude and longitude) is so in measuring from it you never crossed the Columbia or Williamette River more than once, a challenge in the days where there were no satellites returning the latitude and longitude..
The spiritual significance here is that the issue of control (stronghold, refusal to submit to God's agenda) has destroyed many churches in this area. The early pioneers often felt they had "made it on their own" and had a strong sense of independence. This is a control point in the city. It is also interesting that there are more verses in the Bible about land and stewardship of the land than almost any other subject.
Extinct Volcano at Mt. Tabor
Only Extinct Volcano within the City Limits of a Major City
Mt. Tabor in Portland is named for Mt. Tabor in Palestine. Betty Michell, who has done much research on the Holy Land, says this is one of three sites in the Holy Land where one can feel the Holy Spirit. The other sites are Shiloh and the west side of the Sea of Galilee. In Palestine Mt. Tabor is the site where the Prophetess Deborah defeated the forces of Jezebel (a Spirit of Control). Legend also names Mt. Tabor as the possible location of the Transfiguration.
In Portland, the mountain has several significant schools at its base including Western Seminary and Warner Pacific College. The Portland mountain was the site of many visions of John G. Lake, a minister in Portland during the 1920's with a miraculous healing ministry.
(More sites to come. We'll also add some photos!)
