February 2026: Happy Birthday Portal!

Happy 9 Years Portal 2:20!

Thank you for sharing!
​February is known for many things, but here at Portal 2:20, we dedicated the entire month to one simple theme: Share.
At the beginning of each week, we posted something on social media and asked our Portal family and friends to share it. It became fun to watch the numbers grow! One post reached 69 shares — well above our usual average. That may seem small to some, but to us, every share matters.
There are still people in our community who don’t even know Portal exists. With every post shared, that number gets smaller. Every share is a seed planted — and seeds matter.

Relationships That Matter Most
This month, our devotions focused on relationships — friendships, dating relationships, family relationships, school and work relationships. All of these are important.
But above all, we emphasized the most important relationship of all: a relationship with God.
We encouraged our teens to talk to Him, get to know Him, read their Bibles, and surround themselves with other believers. He alone brings lasting joy, peace, love, grace, and hope — the kind that doesn’t fade.

A “Cheesy” Celebration
Of course, February wouldn’t be complete without some fun! We hosted our annual Cheesiest Valentine Party, complete with a Mac & Cheese contest. Several teens brought their best dishes, and votes were cast to crown a winner.
This year’s champion was a senior in Culinary Arts. She received a one-of-a-kind award generously created and donated by Stacy and Joel Miller — a 3D-printed bowl of mac and cheese mounted on a wooden plaque. It was both hilarious and impressive, and we’re pretty sure it will be treasured for years to come!

---

From Warehouse to Home
​The Lord has moved — and continues to move — in this ministry.
We began in an empty warehouse. From there, God provided an old grocery store that had been converted into a church. Today, that building is what we call home. Both spaces have been tremendous blessings, and we are grateful for how God has provided every step of the way.
Nine years ago, Portal 2:20 Teen Center was just a vision. This month, we celebrated 9 years of ministry.
Over 300 teens have walked through our doors since the beginning — and that number continues to grow weekly. That means over 300 seeds have been planted.
Sometimes seeds sprout quickly. Sometimes it takes time.
Recently, we saw a beautiful example of that growth. A few young ladies from very different backgrounds and home lives had been coming around, just existing, just showing up. Then something shifted. Within a short period of time, they gave their lives to Christ and were baptized. Watching those seeds sprout and bloom was nothing short of amazing.
God is still moving — and we are humbled to witness it.

A Place for Every Teen
​One of the most beautiful things about Portal is the diversity of teens who gather here. We have athletes, singers, band kids, gamers, artists, the shy and the outgoing, teens from big families and only children.
Students primarily come from Crestview, Van Wert, and Lincolnview, along with a few from surrounding areas. It’s incredible to watch teens from different schools and backgrounds come together, build friendships, and form bonds that last well beyond high school.
Many have found some of their very best friends — maybe even their forever friends — right here.

🌱 Join the Mission This Month
​Because of what God is doing at Portal, here are a few ways you can be part of it:
Help us keep planting seeds:

• Share one of our social posts this month
• Commit to praying weekly for the teens
• Sponsor one teen’s snacks for a month
• Write an encouraging note we can post in the café

Thank you for being part of the story.

As we move into a new month, we invite you to reflect on Galatians 6:10 and Colossians 3:23, and see where the Lord leads you.
Thank you for being part of the story God is writing at Portal 2:20.
​
Have a blessed month.