Abide Mt. Hood Church Settles into The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort

By: Amber Ford, The Mountain Times

With new eateries, events, and activities popping up in and around The Mt. Hood Villages, a new representation of faith is coming to the community, bringing a new sense of hope and fellowship. Abide Mt. Hood Church officially opened its doors on Sunday, November 1st. at The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, giving community members an opportunity to worship with friends and family.

The idea for the church first came to Pastor and Abide Mt. Hood Church founding member Larry Topliff, in the spring of 2025. “I began feeling the first stirrings, or perhaps, more accurately God’s nudging me toward greater ministry commitment,” he said, adding “I was thinking of perhaps a role as a lead pastor, but over time in prayer and counsel with ministry friends the idea of planting a church in the Welches area took center stage.” As with many organizations and ideas that take root within a community, Abide Mt. Hood Church had help from other community members. Topliff, with the support of others eager to expand the idea, within began piecing the puzzle together. “In August of 2025 we approached Chris and Lisa Page (who had previously been active in ministry on the mountain) to see if they had interest in partnering with us on a church-planting adventure,” he said, adding “Once we knew they did, we began engaging in the process of planting that church.”

Unlike other church services, Abide Mt. Hood Church’s services will be held Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. and will be offered at The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, near Mallard’s Pub and Cafe and 3 Nines Pro Shop. While attendance is expected to range anywhere from 50-100 members, the church understands that the goal isn’t necessarily to fill seats. “We try not to overthink numbers, trusting God will bring those that are supposed to be a part of Abide Mt. Hood Church and empower us to minister accordingly, should that number be big or small,” he said. 

Keeping to scripture, the overall goal of the church is to promote faith in a community based environment. Pastor Topliff explains “Our vision can be summed up in our motto: ‘Learn the word, live the word, share the word,’” adding, “we aim to create an environment in which anyone can learn God’s word through relevant bible-centered teaching.” He went on to explain “we can live out what they are learning through practical advice and tools for application, and share that experience and God’s word with those that they are in a relationship with,” adding “we believe God can positively impact this community and we are excited to be a part of his plan.”

Abide Mt. Hood Church will offer services and programs such as an adult service, children’s service, nursery, and a worship team with other ministry programs to be added as needed. Although there are other churches within the Mt. Hood Villages community, members of Abide feel that this new addition is relevant and needed. “We believe Abide Mt. Hood Church can fill a needed role with a unique ministry model that features book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse teaching through the Bible and a separate children’s service that focuses on the same verses as adult service, strengthening family discipleship.”