Where the Spirit leads: City Church looks to minister to people in Cape's downtown

There's a new church in town with a mission of ministering to people, particularly in downtown Cape Girardeau. Started by Matt McDonald and Greg Schwab, City Church is an Acts 29 church -- named for the book of the Bible.

In this week's Ministry Focus, the founding pastors share their backgrounds, why they started the church and how they hope to minister to the downtown community and beyond.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

McDonald: I am 30 years old and I grew up in Asia and Pennsylvania. My wife of nine years, Rebecca, grew up in Jackson. We have three kids, Kenny ,9, Michael ,7, and Lucy ,4, and we have one more on the way. We moved to Cape three years ago not planning on staying very long. However, God has since led us to start a church here and put down roots. I enjoy meeting new people, playing sports [especially disc golf], dating my wife, and wrestling with my kids.

Schwab: I am a 30-year-old who grew up in Jackson, Mo., but I have spent the last 12 years away at school and work. I have a super-hot wife, Julie (Roth) Schwab, and two awesome kids: Addison, 3, and Cooper, 1. I love my family and seeing people meet Jesus.

Q: How long have you been a member of your faith?

McDonald: I grew up in a great Christian family, but a big part of Christianity to me was just trying to be a good person and prove myself worthy to others, myself and God [a.k.a "religion"]. A little over three years ago, God began taking me beyond "religion" to the good news of the Gospel that Jesus freed me from having to prove myself worthy in the eyes of God -- Jesus did that for me through his life, death and resurrection.

Schwab: I have been a Christian since I was 7 [but not always a good one]. Thankfully, I am a Christian because of Jesus and His goodness and not my own.

Q: City Church is new to town. What led you to plant this church?

McDonald: The Spirit of God moved in us and challenged us to get outside the "four walls" of church and love people with the love of Jesus in Downtown Cape -- bars, casino, clubs, poor neighborhoods, schools, etc. We are called City Church because we are here to serve the city of Cape Girardeau. We realized the need for more churches downtown that are willing to love the community and reach out in the name of Jesus.

Q: What's an Acts 29 church?

McDonald: Acts 29 is a network of like-minded churches around the world that have a heart for being about what Jesus was about when he walked the earth and what the early church was about in the book of Acts. There are only 28 chapters in Acts, thus the name Acts 29. We are partnering with other local Acts 29 churches in St. Louis, Farmington and Columbia. Check it out at acts29network.org.

Q: What makes your church unique?

McDonald: We want to be about people. People, especially downtown, who are hurting, marginalized, hopeless and searching for purpose and value. We are willing to go wherever we need to go to love and serve people, regardless of lifestyle, hang-ups, or negative views of God and church. Hopefully that doesn't make us unique -- hopefully we are just one of many churches in town who have a similar passion.

Q: What ongoing ministries does your church have that people might be interested in?

McDonald: Right now we have a couple small groups that meet during the week in homes, and a Sunday morning worship service (10 a.m.). As we grow, we desire to have a ministry of addiction recovery downtown. We are also getting to know the downtown community better to decide what other ways there may be for us to serve. Check our website for more details or to contact us about needs you may know about going unmet in the community -- citychurchcape.com

Q: What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

McDonald: Galatians 5:1: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Jesus died and rose from the dead to set us free. Religion is slavery to guilt, fear, control and performance. Irreligion is also slavery -- always looking to the next drink, hit, party, lover or paycheck to fill the emptiness inside. Only Jesus Christ brings total freedom, hope and peace.

Schwab: I am changing this question to favorite book of the Bible: James. The book of James is ridiculously blunt and in your face but is written in love for its readers. Jesus is the greatest example of love, yet he always spoke truth, no matter what the consequences.

Q: Who or what inspired you join the ministry?

McDonald: Ultimately, I'm inspired by the incredible life of Jesus found in the Gospels. He has changed my life. There are also a handful of pastors that have inspired me as well -- Matt Chandler (Dallas), Tim Keller (Manhattan), Francis Chan (San Francisco) and John Ryan (O'Fallon).

Schwab: The work of Jesus Christ changed me from the inside out and compels me to spread His Gospel. However, there have been many Godly people in my life from birth until now who continually help shape me in understanding who I am in Christ, which leads me to want to serve others.

Q: What's the greatest blessing you've experienced in the ministry?

McDonald: Watching people experience God's unconditional love found in meeting and following Jesus -- it has changed me, and it can change everything.

Schwab: There is nothing greater than seeing people meet Jesus and finding true freedom through Him -- to see them discover that the Jesus of the Bible is much different than the Jesus our culture often portrays. This Jesus alone holds the power to change our lives.

Q: What's the greatest challenge you've experienced in the ministry?

McDonald: Watching people (especially myself) who live as "slaves", both in the church and outside it -- and the negative effect that it has on communities like downtown Cape.

Schwab: The greatest challenge is getting over myself. My own ego, pride and selfishness are sins I must repent of daily and pray that Jesus is the only reason I do what I do.