OUR PASTORS’ STORY & HISTORY
It all started when…
Jerry & Tami McKinney started City Church in 1998 with their three sons. Their purpose was to build a church where everyone felt comfortable from the moment they walked in. They dreamed of a church that would love God, love His Word, love people and love life. Serving Jesus and people is at the heart of their story.
Jerry grew up a surfer in a small beach town in Florida, in a house his dad built. Every Sunday his family attended the Assemblies of God church down the road. At age 17, he had a life-altering experience with God that would change him forever. God told him to be a Pastor and within a year he was attending Southeastern University where he received his bachelor’s degree in theology. Upon graduation, he hopped in his car and drove across the country, with a friend, to Portland, Oregon to be a part of a world-renowned movement (City Bible Church). He spent the next 20 years in that church, serving, learning and developing the character it would take to lead City Church San Diego. This is where he met his soon-to-be wife Tami.
Tami was born in Los Angeles, committed her life to Jesus when she was 6 years old, and was called into ministry. Her love for the church and faith in Jesus gave her the strength to overcome brokenness and one day help women just like her. At 16, she heard about a great move of God happening in Portland and moved there to be a part of it. She attended Portland Bible College and Warner Pacific to prepare herself to become a pastor and received her teaching and theology degrees. It was while leading in the young adult ministry that she fell in love with Jerry.
Over the next two decades Jerry & Tami were successful in multiple professional arenas. They worked in politics, interacting with congressmen, a mayor and two presidents and started a political action committee. They went on to become prosperous land developers and helped plant a mega church in Seattle (Church Home, now led by their nephew, Judah Smith). From there, God sent them to build a world-changing church in Southern California.
They were walking on the beach in San Diego, on vacation, when they heard God speak to them that they were to move here and start a church. After 2 years of praying and planning, the dream became a reality. The first services were held at a school with 45 people and now the church has grown into one of the top 2% of churches in America.
Jerry was made to pastor in San Diego. He loves his city, from walking the beaches to biking the mountains, but most importantly loving the people that call it home. He has pastored business people into millions of dollars, broken people into healing, movie stars and professional athletes into putting God first and everyone he leads into making Jesus the center of their life.
Jerry is an anointed pastor who knows how to build healthy marriages, strong families, and teaches Biblical principles that make life enjoyable. The Bible says we have many teachers, but not many fathers. San Diego didn’t need just another success story. It needed much more. It needed a shepherd, a father, and a true pastor.
Pastor Jerry’s unwavering integrity and wisdom makes him a hero of the faith. You will not find another pastor like him! When you hear him speak, you are going to love his hilarious stories that lead you to real life- change. This is our pastors’ story. We encourage you to be a part of the next chapter of the dream.