Hope City Church

What Hope City Church does

Hope City Church is a Canadian-registered charitable organization (BN #893659920RR0001) operating as a multi-site Pentecostal congregation in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 1976 in the Mill Woods community, it now runs three physical campuses — Mill Woods, Terwillegar, and Kingsway — supplemented by an Online Campus. It is affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and is led by Pastor Phil Kniesel, with a staff and pastoral team of more than 50. Ministries span the full life cycle: Egoli (children's ministry), HC Young (youth and young adults), men's and women's ministries, recovery-oriented Freedom Session cohorts, and the Hope City School of Ministries (HCSM), a ministerial training program delivered in partnership with Vanguard College.

Its core "products" are weekly worship services, small-group community, pastoral counseling, children's and youth programming, recovery/discipleship curricula, and accredited ministerial training (HCSM). Underlying infrastructure includes a mobile app, livestreamed services supporting the Online Campus, podcast distribution, and Rock RMS as the church management system of record. A stated "1% vision" targets engaging roughly 8,500–9,000 residents of greater Edmonton.

The organization's revenue model is that of a non-profit religious charity: the overwhelming majority of income derives from individual tithes and offerings (>90%), with secondary, smaller revenue from program fees (preschool, HCSM tuition, camp registrations, Freedom Session fees). Donations are solicited both in-person and digitally, and the registered-charity status enables tax-receipted giving.

Name

Hope City Church

Legal name

Hope City Church

Website

https://hopecity.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hope City Church is a multi-site Pentecostal charity in Edmonton, Alberta (founded 1976) running three physical campuses plus an Online Campus, serving congregants of all ages with worship, children's and youth ministries, recovery programs, and accredited ministerial training via HCSM.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services / Place of Worship

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Religious services
• Pastoral care
• Community ministry
• Faith education
• Church worship

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

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

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings (Individual Donations): Primary revenue source accounting for over 90% of financial support. Individual donations received through online giving, e-Transfer, debit/credit card kiosks, cheques and cash, and monthly pre-authorized debit. Charitable tax receipts issued in February for prior calendar year donations. Canadian Registered Charity (#893659920RR0001).
2. Hope City School of Ministry (HCSM) Program Fee: All-inclusive cost of $500 per participant covering books, food, supplies, merch, and retreat costs. Payment can be made in two installments of $250.
3. Workshop Registration Fees: Fees charged for specialized workshops such as Healing Parental Wounds Workshop ($25 includes materials and lunch), and other educational programming.
4. Event Registration Fees: Fees for summer day camps (ranging from $120-$150 per child per week), Beach Day ($25), and other events.
5. Freedom Session Program Fee: 21-week intensive healing-discipleship program with a cost of $150 per participant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hope City Church operates as a multi-campus Pentecostal church providing weekly worship services, faith-based education, pastoral care, and community outreach programming across three physical campuses in Edmonton (Mill Woods, Terwillegar, Kingsway) plus an online streaming campus. Programming spans all life stages, from nursery and children's ministry through youth, young adults, and adult programs, including courses such as Alpha and Freedom Session, the Hope City School of Ministry (HCSM), and small group ministry.

Product overview

Hope City Church operates as a multi-campus Pentecostal church in Edmonton, Alberta, offering its programs through both physical campuses and digital platforms. The core product portfolio includes a mobile application (iOS/Android) for devotionals, prayer requests, message streaming, event registration, serving management, and giving; an online campus with live-streaming services; a podcast distribution network across major platforms; an online giving system with multiple payment options; and structured courses including Alpha, Freedom Session (21-week healing program), Hope City School of Ministry (HCSM) leadership program, New Believers Course, and on-demand spiritual formation courses. These digital products work together with the church's physical ministry programs to serve congregations across four locations (Mill Woods, Terwillegar, Kingsway, and Online).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly worship gatherings hosted across the Mill Woods, Terwillegar, and Kingsway campuses, plus the online campus, open to the general public and congregants.
• Online Campus (Live Streaming) Live-streamed worship services and content accessible to remote participants, extending reach beyond Edmonton's physical campuses.
• Hope City School of Ministry (HCSM) Ministry training program for individuals pursuing theological education and ministry leadership development.
• Alpha Course An introductory course exploring the basics of the Christian faith, designed for people new to Christianity or exploring faith questions.
• Freedom Session Program addressing personal and spiritual freedom topics, delivered as a workshop-style course to participants.
• New Believers Course A foundational course for individuals who have recently committed to the Christian faith, introducing core beliefs and church community.
• Small Groups Community-based small group gatherings hosted in homes and on campuses for Bible study, fellowship, and pastoral support.
• Children's Ministry (Kids) Age-appropriate programs for children from nursery through preteen years, delivered during worship services and weekly programming.
• Youth Ministry Programs targeted at teenagers including worship, teaching, and community events.
• Young Adults Ministry Programs and gatherings designed for post-secondary and early-career adults.
• Hope City Podcast Online audio teaching series distributed through podcast platforms, extending the church's message to remote listeners.
• Hope City Mobile App Custom mobile application providing church announcements, sermon content, event information, and giving functionality.
• Online Giving Platform Digital donation system enabling recurring tithing, one-time gifts, and program-specific giving from congregants and donors.
• Day Camps Seasonal fee-based camps for children, run during school breaks as community programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served the Edmonton community since 1976
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hector & Ruth Aragon (Guatemala)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Central America through Hope City Church mission partnerships, providing humanitarian assistance and sharing the hope of Jesus.
• Margaret Pfeiffer (Guatemala)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal worker serving in Guatemala through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Darren & Patty McCrea (Colombia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Colombia through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Kathy Mizen (Honduras)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal worker serving in Honduras through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Randy & Carla Redmann (Brazil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Brazil through Hope City Church mission partnerships, supporting Home of the Good Shepherd ministry.
• Jeffery & Akiko Sonnenberg (Japan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Pacific Asia through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Matthew & Amber Price (Thailand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Thailand through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Chelsea Wood (Vanuatu)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal worker serving in Vanuatu through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Innocent & Immaculee Sezibera (Guinea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Africa through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Jess Cantelon (Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal worker serving in Israel through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Luka & Cassandra Fartek (Slovenia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Slovenia through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Wayne & Ann Hilsden (Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Israel through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Peter & Arlene Paluch (Russia/Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers serving in Russia and Poland through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Stefan & Barbara Sos (World Evangelism)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal workers involved in world evangelism through Hope City Church mission partnerships.
• Adeara Recovery CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Edmonton partner providing support for at-risk youth and marginalized individuals. Hope City supports this organization as part of its local outreach ministry.
• Athletes in Action Alberta ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization that uses athletics to share the hope of Jesus. Hope City supports this ministry as part of its outreach strategy.
• Family Life Canada - Alberta TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal and national partner providing biblical help for marriage and family relationships. Hope City collaborates with Family Life Canada for marriage ministry programs.
• Kids On TrackcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Edmonton partner supporting at-risk youth. Part of Hope City's local outreach ministry.
• Neighbours and Newcomers Network EdmontonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner supported through the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada network, serving newcomers to Edmonton.
• Pregnancy Care CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Edmonton partner providing support for pregnant women and families. Part of Hope City's local outreach and care ministry.
• Resurgence MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner ministry in Edmonton. Hope City supports their outreach efforts.
• Shiloh Youth RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner providing youth programs and support. Hope City supports this ministry as part of its youth outreach.
• Vanguard College EdmontoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal theological college partner. Hope City School of Ministry (HCSM) has a partnership allowing students to transfer up to 7 academic credits toward Vanguard College programs.
• Youth RisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Edmonton partner supporting at-risk youth. Part of Hope City's local outreach ministry.
• ALPHA CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing Alpha course materials and support. Hope City runs Alpha courses using Alpha resources to reach seekers and explore faith.
• Mission Aviation FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing aviation services for mission work. Hope City supports this organization as part of its global mission partnerships.
• Salaam MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner focused on Muslim outreach and ministry. Hope City supports this ministry as part of its mission work.
• Wycliffe Bible TranslatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational and global partner focused on Bible translation. Hope City supports Wycliffe both nationally and through direct global partnerships.
• Home of the Good Shepherd (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner in Brazil providing humanitarian assistance and support. Hope City supports this ministry and its workers Randy & Carla Redmann serve there.
• Village of Hope (Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner in Tanzania providing education, economic development, and humanitarian assistance. Part of Hope City's international mission partnerships.
• William Cornelius Vocational Training Centre (Guatemala)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner in Guatemala providing vocational training and education. Part of Hope City's international mission partnerships supporting economic development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gateway Church: Large multi-site church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with contemporary worship, multi-generational programming, and global missions partnerships. Comparable for multi-site scale, contemporary worship model, and life-stage ministry breadth.
• Elevation Church: Large multi-site church headquartered in Charlotte, NC with multiple physical locations, contemporary worship, and strong digital content distribution. Comparable for multi-site operational model, contemporary worship style, and life-stage ministry programming.
• Bethel Christian Centre: Edmonton-area Pentecostal church that shares Hope City's local geography, denominational tradition (PAOC network), and multi-site approach. The most direct local comparable for denominational alignment and same-metro competition for Edmonton congregants.
• North Point Community Church: Andy Stanley's multi-site church in the Atlanta metro; a foundational model for strategic multi-site churches with intentional life-stage ministry and leadership development pipelines. Comparable for multi-site structure and operational philosophy.
• Saddleback Church: Rick Warren's Southern California multi-site church, a foundational large-church model with comprehensive life-stage programming (children through seniors), small groups, and global P.E.A.C.E. missions strategy. Comparable for multi-site scale and life-stage breadth.
• Church of the Highlands: One of the largest multi-site churches in the United States (Birmingham, AL) with campuses across multiple cities, contemporary worship, and comprehensive life-stage programming. Comparable for multi-site scale, contemporary worship model, and digital content distribution.
• Life.Church: One of the largest multi-site churches in North America with a globally distributed online presence; operates a free digital platform (YouVersion/Bible App) and pioneered online campus strategy. Directly comparable to Hope City for multi-site + digital-first delivery model and life-stage programming breadth.
• Central Christian Church: Multi-site church in the Phoenix metro area known for its iCampus online presence and digital outreach strategy. Comparable for pioneering multi-site + online campus integration and contemporary service programming.

Broad incumbents

• Bethel Church: Very large charismatic/Pentecostal church in Redding, California known for its worship movement, Bethel Music, and School of Supernatural Ministry. A broader incumbent in the charismatic/Pentecostal space that shares theological family with Hope City and operates at significantly larger scale.

Regional players

• Northview Community Church: Large multi-site Christian and Missionary Alliance church in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia with life-stage programming across multiple campuses. Comparable as a Canadian multi-site church peer; differs from Hope City primarily in geography and denominational affiliation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hopecityyeg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HopeCityyeg
• Facebookfacebook.com/hopecityyeg
• Instagraminstagram.com/hopecityyeg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mill-woods-assembly

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Hope City Church