Scott Burns

Lead Pastor

Scott Burns has been the lead pastor of Arise Church since Sept 2020. Originally from the west coast of Scotland, he moved to Portland in 2006 to attend Multnomah University where he earned his Masters in Divinity (and more importantly met his wife!). In 2016 he was awarded his doctorate at Talbot School of Theology. He is passionate about discipleship and spiritual formation, with particular interests in prayer, developmental spirituality, and the role of weakness in spiritual transformation. He loves leading people into deeper intimacy with Jesus, teaching the Scriptures, running 24-7 Prayer rooms, having deep conversations over coffee, and equipping people to serve Jesus wholeheartedly.

Scotty draws from a breadth of ministry including pastoring in the large church context, church planting, worship leading, campus ministry, church consultancy, teaching, interchurch partnerships and overseas mission. He serves on the PrayerPDX team, formed by the Luis Palau association, to shepherd, resource and unite churches in the Portland Metroplex in prayer; is a leader in the 24-7 Prayer Movement; and a member of The Order of the Mustard Seed. Scotty has a global heart, with a particularly deep love for India where he travels regularly.