Church of the City

What Church of the City does

Church of the City (COTC) is a nondenominational Christian church founded in 2013 and headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, operating four physical campuses across the Nashville metro (Franklin, Downtown Nashville, Spring Hill, and Nolensville) plus online streaming via YouTube. Its core offering is weekly Christian worship services with biblical teaching, supported by a broad portfolio of sub-brand ministries including children's programming (KidCity), student ministry for grades 6-12 (City Students), community groups, special-needs ministry (City Friends), foster-care support (Wrap Around), marriage and pastoral care services, men's and women's ministries, Alpha courses, and a Stewardship/Legacy giving program. The church is governed by an Elder board under a Policy Governance model with Darren Whitehead as Senior Pastor and a full executive team including a CFO and Executive Pastors of Ministries and Operations; staff size is reported in the 51-100 range.

The organization has built a unified, multi-campus operating model: a proprietary Formation Journal curriculum and COTC Daily devotional program are distributed citywide to create a shared spiritual formation rhythm across campuses with distinct local leadership. The revenue model relies on recurring tithes and offerings processed through the Pushpay platform, supplemented by one-time legacy and estate gifts routed through partners such as the National Christian Foundation. No proprietary technology systems have been developed; the technology stack is limited to standard giving, streaming, and website platforms. Pricing for the limited fee-based services (premarital mentoring at $200 per couple and wedding officiant honorarium at $500 plus travel) is ancillary to the donation-driven model.

The most significant strategic initiative is The Village, a multi-phase $50 million ministry center under construction on the Franklin campus (with $47 million raised) intended to expand programmatic capacity for mental health support, single parents, foster families, and youth aging out of foster care. A network of 40+ missional partner organizations and a community-led growth model — relying on member-driven invitation and an active volunteer ministry network — extend the organization's reach across spiritual, social, and cultural renewal initiatives. Church of the City has been recognized as a Certified Best Christian Workplace by the Christian Employers Alliance.

Name

Church of the City

Legal name

Church of the City

Website

https://cotc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Church of the City is a nondenominational Christian church founded in 2013, operating four campuses across the Nashville, Tennessee metro (Franklin, Downtown Nashville, Spring Hill, Nolensville) plus online streaming, serving members through worship services, community groups, and an extensive ministry portfolio including children, students, special needs, and foster care support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services and Faith-Based Community

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Christian church services
• Multi-campus ministry
• Children and youth ministry
• Religious community programs
• Foster care support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Church members contribute tithes and offerings, typically through online giving via Pushpay platform, with options for one-time or recurring gifts.
2. Legacy and Estate Giving: Planned giving through bequests, beneficiary designations, life insurance gifts, charitable trusts, and retained life estates to support long-term mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Church of the City is a nondenominational Christian church founded in 2013 that operates multiple physical campuses across Tennessee (Franklin, Downtown Nashville, Spring Hill, and Nolensville). The church delivers weekly worship services, age-specific ministries for children, students, college-age young adults, men, and women, small-group community life, pastoral care, foster-care wraparound support, marriage preparation, and online streaming of services and devotional content.

Product overview

Church of the City is a nondenominational Christian church offering a comprehensive portfolio of ministry programs and services across four physical campuses (Franklin, Downtown Nashville, Spring Hill, Nolensville, TN) plus online engagement. The core offering is Sunday worship services with biblical teaching, supported by an extensive ecosystem of sub-brand ministries including children's (KidCity), youth (City Students), community groups, special needs (City Friends), foster care support (Wrap Around, Cars Ministry), marriage and family support, prayer, Alpha, and women's/men's ministries. Major initiatives include The Village (a $5M community center project under construction), the Formation Journal and COTC Daily devotional programs for citywide spiritual formation, and a network of 40+ Missional Partners for community outreach. Online engagement is enabled through YouTube streaming and Church Center platform integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday worship gatherings with Bible teaching offered in-person at four Tennessee campuses and online for remote participants and households seeking a local church.
• KidCity Children's Ministry Age-specific Bible teaching and programming for children from birth through 5th grade, available during Sunday services and select midweek events at every campus.
• City Students Ministry Weekly gatherings and discipleship program designed for middle school and high school students, led by dedicated student ministry staff at the campuses.
• City Friends Special Needs Ministry Inclusive programming that supports individuals with special needs and their families during church services and related events, providing trained buddies and adapted environments.
• Community Groups Small groups that meet in homes across the region for Bible study, prayer, and relational discipleship, organized around geographic areas and life stages.
• Marriage Ministry Marriage preparation and wedding-related services for engaged and married couples, including fee-based premarital mentoring sessions ($200 per couple) and officiant services for weddings ($500 per ceremony).
• Alpha Faith Exploration Course A multiweek introductory course on the basics of the Christian faith designed for people exploring Christianity or new to belief, hosted periodically across the campuses.
• Pastoral Care Pastoral counseling, prayer support, and crisis care available to congregants and attendees navigating illness, grief, marriage difficulties, or other life challenges.
• Wrap Around Foster Care Support Wraparound support program serving foster and adoptive families in the region, providing practical assistance such as the Cars Ministry (vehicle support) and ongoing care coordination.
• Formation Journal A printed booklet and digital PDF resource designed to support personal spiritual formation and devotional practice, distributed through church-wide campaigns.
• COTC Daily Devotional Online daily devotional content available through the church's website and digital channels, providing scripture readings and reflections for everyday spiritual practice.
• The Village Community Center A community center facility that hosts ministry programming and outreach activities and serves as a regional gathering space for church initiatives.
• Baptism Celebration of the sacrament of baptism, offered regularly across all campuses for individuals making a profession of faith.
• Stakeholders Membership Class A membership class that walks attendees through the church's beliefs, values, and membership commitments for those wishing to formalize their connection to the church.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

45 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Adziwa Christian SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational mission partner serving Lilongwe, Malawi. Supports educational mission through the church's global missional partnerships program.
• Agape NashvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 4555 Trousdale Dr, Nashville, TN 37024. Primary local missional partner providing community services.
• Alpha USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerP.O. Box 7491, Carol Stream, Illinois 60197-7491. Partnership supports Alpha course programs hosted at all COTC campuses for exploring Christian faith.
• Begin AnewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 1350 W Main St, Franklin, TN 37064. Local partner providing community services.
• BrightStoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 3000 BrightStone Pkwy, Franklin, TN 37064. Serves individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Charity WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 230 Franklin Rd Suite 11ii, Franklin, TN 37064. International clean water nonprofit with local presence.
• Convoy of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 1 Convoy Drive, Springfield, MO 65802. Disaster relief and community outreach organization.
• Corner to CornercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerP.O. Box 60646, Nashville, TN 37206. Local Nashville organization focused on neighborhood transformation.
• Cul2vatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 430 Hogan Rd., Nashville, TN 37220. Agricultural ministry partnering with The Village garden project for food insecure populations.
• Dream StreetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 520 39th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209. Local Nashville community organization.
• Franktown Open HeartsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 320 Main St #200, Franklin, TN 37064. Local Williamson County organization serving youth and families.
• GraceWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 104 Southeast Pkwy, Franklin, TN 37064. Primary local community service partner providing emergency assistance.
• Hard BargainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 608 Mt Hope St, Franklin, TN 37064. Local community organization.
• Mercy Community HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 143 SE Pkwy Ct, Franklin, TN 37064. Healthcare provider serving the community.
• myLIFEspeaksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeply, Haiti. International mission partner supporting Haitian community.
• New Hope AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 1820 Downs Blvd, Franklin, TN 37064. Private Christian school partner.
• OneGenAwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 320 Premier Court, Suite 218, Franklin, TN 37067. Hunger relief organization.
• Preston Taylor MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 4014 Indiana Ave, Nashville, TN 37209. Local youth ministry organization.
• Siloam HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 820 Gale Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. Healthcare provider serving uninsured and underinsured.
• The Refuge CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 4317 Long Ln, Franklin, TN 37064. Counseling and community care center.
• The Well OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 5306 Main St, Spring Hill, TN 37174. Local community organization serving Spring Hill area.
• YCAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 1011 Russell St, Nashville, TN 37206. Youth development program through YMCA.
• Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition working to combat human trafficking in the Nashville area.
• Pregnancy Centers of Middle TennesseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 220 Town Center Pkwy, Suite 125, Spring Hill, TN 37174. Support services for pregnant women and families.
• ViableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 4900 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209. Local workforce development organization.
• Oak Cottage for WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 2020 Fieldstone Pkwy, Suite 900-259, Franklin, TN 37069. Support services for women.
• Food for the HungryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization with Dominican Republic focus.
• The Bridge MinistryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 533 Brick Church Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37207. Local Nashville ministry.
• Freedom PrayercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 104 East Park Dr., Building 300, Brentwood, TN 37027. Provides prayer ministry teams for COTC Freedom Prayer sessions.
• Restore Small GroupsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 326 21st Ave N Suite 223, Nashville, TN 37203. Recovery-focused small group ministry.
• Spring 2 Life RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 3180 Hill Creek Rd, Woodbury, TN 37190. Recovery ministry.
• Jonathan's PathminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal ministry partner with phone contact (615) 414-1876.
• Lifeway GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhone: (615) 496-7753. Local ministry partner.
• Path UnitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranklin Estates. Community development organization.
• People Loving NashvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 3511 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216. Local neighborhood ministry.
• TKB (Tennessee Kids Belong)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 1229 Lakeview Dr STE A, Franklin, TN 37067. Statewide organization supporting foster care and adoption.
• Uncharted InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 400 South Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715. International mission organization.
• Civil RighteousnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerP.O. Box 11157 Ferguson, MO 63135. Social justice focused organization.
• Isaiah 1:17 HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennessee-based advocacy organization for justice and community care.
• My Friend's HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 626 Eastview Circle, Franklin, TN 37064. Local family support organization.
• Young Life CapernaumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry serving youth with disabilities through Young Life programming.
• The CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddress: 10400 Overland Rd, #288, Boise, ID 83709. Faith-based community organization.
• Tim Tebow FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation that launched Night to Shine event for individuals with special needs, which COTC hosts annually.
• PushpaycoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline giving platform provider used by COTC for accepting electronic donations and managing recurring gifts.
• National Christian FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partner for legacy and estate giving arrangements including charitable trusts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Life.Church: Edmond, OK-based multi-site church with extensive online presence and the YouVersion Bible app. Comparable digital streaming approach, multi-campus operations, and open-source ministry content strategy.
• Summit Church: J.D. Greear-led Southern Baptist multi-site church based in Durham, NC. Comparable multi-campus model with local campus pastors and unified teaching content across locations.
• Gateway Church: Robert Morris-led multi-site church based in Dallas-Fort Worth with campuses across Texas. Comparable multi-site operating model, family ministry depth, and community outreach programming.
• Brentwood Baptist Church: Large multi-site Baptist church headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, just miles from COTC. Direct local competitor for Nashville-area congregants with similar multi-campus footprint and community ministry emphasis.
• McLean Bible Church: Multi-site megachurch in the Washington DC metro with campuses across Northern Virginia. Comparable multi-site operating model, leadership development pipeline, and citywide ministry focus.
• North Point Community Church: Andy Stanley-led nondenominational multi-site church based in Atlanta with five campuses. Highly comparable multi-site governance model, community group structure, and emphasis on practical ministry.
• Southeast Christian Church: Large multi-site nondenominational church in Louisville, KY. Comparable multi-campus footprint, special needs ministry (Joni and Friends partnership), and community outreach programming.
• Elevation Church: Steven Furtick-led nondenominational multi-site church with 20+ campuses across the Carolinas and beyond. Comparable scale, multi-campus architecture, and citywide spiritual formation focus.
• The Church of Eleven22: Non-denominational multi-site church headquartered in Jacksonville, FL with multiple campuses. Comparable age (planted 2012), multi-site architecture, and rapid regional growth profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@churchofthecity
• Instagraminstagram.com/youngadults_fr
• Xx.com/churchofthecity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Church of the City