Portmann to Direct Church Multiplication Network

Jeffery Portmann, a prolific church planter from Puyallup, Washington, was recently appointed as director of the Church Multiplication Network (CMN) for the Assemblies of God USA. Portmann follows Chris Railey, who accepted the pastorate of Oaks Church, in Red Oak, Texas.

Jeffery and his wife, Joanne, planted newhope church in Puyallup in 2014. Since then, newhope has launched five locations including a Spanish campus across the Puget Sound area and was recognized as one of Outreach Magazine’s top 100 multiplying churches in America in 2019.

Portmann has served as a district youth director and church planting director in the Northwest Ministry Network. Additionally, he has served in various capacities on the CMN team including training church planters at CMN Launch events, developing multisite resources, and cultivating relationships with youth leaders as a member of the CMN Field Team. Most recently, Portmann joined the CMN Lead Team, which provides visionary leadership and direction to CMN.

Portmann, who is honored and humbled by the appointment, says that he and his wife spent much time praying, fasting, and seeking godly counsel in making the decision to accept the position.

“In our interview with Doug (Clay, general superintendent), we felt a peace, the same peace God gave us when He asked us to quit our jobs and start from scratch (when planting newhope),” he says. “The Holy Spirit has given us peace in our spirits and confirmation from godly voices — mentors.”

“Jeffery Portmann is an exceptional leader, church planter, and multiplier,” says Doug Clay. “His ministry background, education, and leadership capacity makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Church Multiplication Network and I look forward to working with him and the CMN Team as we continue to work towards the vision of a healthy church in every community.”

A word that Portmann believes God has given him is “listen.” To lean in and listen to voices of pastors and leaders and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

“My desire is to be in alignment in with the Holy Spirit, and I’m still flushing that out practically,” he says. “We already have clarity and direction — I love where CMN is going — but I must bring a listening ear first to the Holy Spirit . . . to where the Holy Spirit is going and listen to the voice of God for this next wave.”

Jeffery and Joanne have two sons and a daughter-in-law. Additionally, he has a Doctorate of Ministry with a concentration in leadership from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Portmann, who will officially begin his duties Aug. 1, will be the third director of CMN, following the leadership of Steve Pike and Railey. Since CMN was founded in 2008, the network has helped start nearly 4,000 churches in the Assemblies of God USA.