Pastor Pushes Back on Portland Expo Controversy, Says May 15 Event Is About “Nothing More, Nothing Less” Than the Gospel

PORTLAND, Maine — Calvary Chapel Greater Portland Senior Pastor Travis Carey pushed back this Thursday against growing criticism surrounding the May 15 event planned for the Portland Expo Center, arguing that opponents have falsely portrayed the gathering as a political rally rather than what he described as a Christian outreach event.

In a video message directed to supporters and “common sense Mainers,” Carey said the church has been hit with a wave of negative attention over the last 48 hours as controversy intensified around the event, which is now being promoted as part of TPUSA Faith’s “Make Heaven Crowded Tour.” He said the event had been planned as a gospel outreach from the beginning and accused critics of spreading misinformation about both the purpose of the event and the city contract tied to the Expo booking.

“There’s been no shortage of free press the last 48 hours,” Carey said. “They on one side of the political aisle are trying to claim this to be a political event. It’s a faith event. It’s always been geared and planned as a faith event. It’s a gospel outreach.”

That defense tracks with what has already been reported publicly. Calvary Chapel Greater Portland, based in Westbrook, reached an agreement with the City of Portland in October 2025 to lease the Expo Center for what was described as a gospel outreach event. Months later, in December, TPUSA Faith approached the church about joining the effort, turning the Portland stop into part of its national tour. Speakers for the event have not yet been announced.

Carey said that timeline matters because critics have tried to frame the booking as though the city knowingly cut a special deal for a political organization. He has maintained that the church’s contract with Portland is valid and legal, and previously said the city itself confirmed as much. The church was charged $2,720 under the city’s nonprofit exhibit rate, while critics have pointed to a higher assembly rate typically associated with larger ticketed events.

On Thursday, Carey also told The Maine Wire that he and his staff have received numerous negative messages over the event, and that members of his staff have been sworn at as the backlash has intensified.

Carey condemned what he described as escalating hostility aimed at the church, its staff, and members of the congregation. He said some of the public reaction has gone far beyond criticism of the event itself, warning that inflammatory rhetoric and calls for protest are creating a more dangerous atmosphere.

“What is sad is there are those who are intentionally seeking to rev up the noise of violence and calling even words such as a call to arms and a call to protest for our event,” Carey said. “There’s been a lot of hateful rhetoric sent to me and my staff and our church congregants.”

He urged viewers not to join that effort, appealing instead for prayer for the church and for the city of Portland.

Carey framed the backlash as another example of what he called “cancel culture,” saying opponents are trying to shut down an event centered on worship, preaching, prayer, and evangelism. He maintained that the church intends to move forward and said he expects the city to do the same.

The broader dispute has been fueled in part by TPUSA Faith’s ties to the larger Turning Point USA network, a nationally known conservative organization. That connection has led some critics to question whether the Portland stop can truly be separated from politics. But Carey has repeatedly insisted politics will not be the focus, describing the event instead as a gospel outreach aimed at reaching people with a message of faith, hope, and repentance.

For Carey, the message in his latest remarks was clear: despite the political noise now surrounding the May 15 gathering, he says the church’s purpose has not changed.

“We want to see souls impacted by the truth of the gospel. We want to see the addicted set free, we want to see the hopeless given hope,” Carey said. “This May 15 event is nothing more, nothing less. It is a gospel outreach.”