The City Church, based in Batavia, New York, is more than just a house of worship—it’s a story of leadership, faith, and long-term growth. Founded over 25 years ago, the church has built a reputation for strong community values, consistency, and real-world impact.
At the core of The City Church’s success is a simple idea: “We Do Life Together.” This philosophy has helped them grow from a small start-up church to a vital local presence. The team didn’t focus on flashy promotions or rapid expansion. Instead, they focused on people—meeting needs, building trust, and sharing life.
With regular weekly services, mentorship, and a mission to help every person encounter the Gospel, The City Church has created a rhythm of purpose and progress. Their approach is both spiritual and practical. The leadership team values mentorship, faith-based education, and learning from real-life experiences. They lead with humility and a deep sense of calling.
The church has used its influence to guide families, support individuals in crisis, and build meaningful, long-term relationships in the Batavia community. Their longevity is no accident—it’s the result of doing the small things right, over and over again.
As one of their leaders put it: “We’re all learning every day, and we’ll continue to. Faith isn’t static—it grows when we lean on each other.” That mindset of steady growth, reflection, and service is what makes The City Church a success story—not just in faith, but in life and leadership.
Q&A with The City Church on Success (500–750 Words)
Q: How do you define success, especially in the context of leading a church for over two decades?
Success for us isn’t measured in numbers. It’s about faithfulness. It’s about staying the course—day after day, year after year—and helping people grow. When we started, we didn’t know what this would become. We just knew we were called to serve. Today, success is when someone tells us they’ve found peace, purpose, or community here. That’s the win.
Q: What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about leadership and growth?
We’ve learned that consistency beats charisma. You can be passionate, but if you’re not present—if you’re not showing up for people—things fall apart. We’ve also learned that leaders are learners. One of our core values is, “We learn every day and will continue to.” You don’t arrive. You keep growing, spiritually and practically.
Q: What challenges did you face when starting The City Church, and how did you overcome them?
Starting a church isn’t glamorous. In the early days, we had small crowds, big doubts, and very little funding. We had to wear every hat—preaching, cleaning, managing finances, visiting people in hospitals. What helped us was our focus on relationships and staying grounded in our mission. We believed God would bring the increase if we stayed faithful with what we had. And He did.
Q: How do you keep your team motivated and engaged after 25+ years?
First, we model what we expect. We don’t ask people to do what we won’t do. That builds trust. Second, we listen. Whether it’s a volunteer or a staff member, people want to be heard. Finally, we try to create an environment where people know their contribution matters. Success isn’t just what happens from the stage—it’s what happens in the parking lot, the nursery, the small groups. Everyone plays a part.
Q: Your motto is “We Do Life Together.” How does that play into your idea of success?
It’s everything. That phrase isn’t a slogan—it’s our culture. We believe in walking through life side by side. Whether someone’s celebrating or grieving, we want to be there. Success, in our eyes, is when someone who felt alone now feels seen and supported. That’s community. And that’s what changes lives.
Q: Do you see your work as entrepreneurial?
In many ways, yes. Starting a church is a lot like starting a business—you need vision, structure, leadership, and grit. The difference is the product isn’t profit—it’s transformation. But the same principles apply. You have to cast vision, steward resources, and build teams. You also have to be OK with failure. Not every outreach event works. Not every message lands. But you keep moving.
Q: How do you handle personal discouragement or seasons where growth is slow?
We go back to our “why.” Our purpose isn’t to entertain or impress. It’s to serve and shepherd. We remember that faithfulness doesn’t always feel successful. Sometimes, the real growth is happening underground. In those seasons, we lean into prayer, Scripture, and each other. We remind ourselves—just like we tell others—that God is still working.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone trying to build something lasting—whether a church, a business, or a community—what would it be?
Be patient. Show up every day. Don’t chase popularity—chase purpose. And find mentors. We’ve learned so much from others who’ve gone before us. Success isn’t a solo journey. It’s built in circles of trust, wisdom, and accountability.
