GATHERING INFORMATION

In January of 2017, Sacred City - Moline was planted by Pastor Sam and a core team of 40 others who were sent out from Sacred City - Iowa. We began meeting weekly for Sunday Gatherings in the gymnasium of a youth center and in October of that same year we purchased a church building in the heart of Moline. Our mission has always been to make disciples, plant churches and renew the city, specifically on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. As we continue to live out of our gospel identities in community and on mission, God continues to slowly grow our church. In addition to having Missional Communities scattered throughout Moline, we even have one in Aledo, IL. 

We are a small church with a big mission and our story is far from over. We realize there are more people in our cities who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and need biblical community in order to grow up in the faith. Not only do we have a desire to see new people come into the fold of God, we have a generational vision for our kids and grandkids. We are setting the trajectory for culture shaping faithfulness so that our kids can stand on our shoulders and continue the good work the Lord has begun here.

If you are looking for a church where you can grow as a disciple of Jesus and be part of city-wide reformation, we would love to see your story intersect with ours.

Sam Schmidt (Lead Pastor)

The responsibilities of the Lead Pastor include preaching, leadership development, and pastoral shepherding for Sacred City - Moline and leads the Hickory Woods Missional Community.

Sam met his wife, Becca, while earning a Bachelors degree in Music at the University of Northern Iowa. They married in 2012 and are raising four future men.

Sam moved to the Quad Cities to be part of the launch of Sacred City Church in 2011 and has been around ever since. In 2017, Sam and Becca were sent out with a core team to plant Sacred City - Moline. Sam also serves on the School Board at the classical, Christian school his children attend.

When not playing backyard football with his boys, Sam enjoys tinkering in the garage, listening to podcasts, bourbon, cigars, following the Las Vegas Raiders and Formula 1 Racing.

AJ Brown (Lay Elder)

AJ became an Elder at Sacred City - Moline in April of 2023.  As a Lay Elder, AJ leads in a variety of ways to shepherd the members of Sacred City - Moline and leads the Central Moline Missional Community. 

AJ and his wife Carrie have been a part of Sacred City church since the very beginning of Sacred City Davenport in 2011, and where part of the core team sent out to plant Sacred City - Moline in 2017. 

AJ and Carrie are natives of the Quad City area but spent a brief 5 year stint in California where AJ earned a BA in Industrial and Scientific photography. He has worked as a self-employed architectural photographer since 2010. 

AJ and Carrie now have 4 children.  Carrie works full time managing the home and raising their children.

They are both interested in art and design but their real passion lies in slowly building the Kingdom of God in their home, church, city, and country. 

Jesse Korns (Lay Elder)


Jesse became an Elder at Sacred City - Moline in April of 2023. As a Lay Eder, Jesse leads in a variety of ways to shepherd the members of Sacred City Moline.  He leads out baptism celebrations, preaches occasionally on Sunday mornings, and he is one of the leaders for the Aledo Missional Community.  Jesse has a heart for discipling men and families to live all of life in submission to the kingship of Jesus. 

Jesse and his beautiful wife, Melissa, have been married for 15 years and they have three adventurous boys, Josiah Henry, Gentry George, and Leroy Jack.   

Jesse works as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Genesis Health Group in Aledo, IL. 

When it comes to hobbies, Jesse loves to spend time with his family working at their ranch where they raise cows, chickens, and pigs.  He loves hunting with his boys and riding bikes and going on fun dates with his wife.  

Abbey Taets (Administrative Assistant) 

The Administrative Assistant at Sacred City Moline helps with logistical, organizational, communication, and administrative tasks for the church and Pastor.

Volunteering in the office since 2018, Abbey came on staff in the summer of 2022, working part-time.

Abbey is married to Eric, and they have one son, Nico.

Abbey has an Associates of Applied Science in Visual Communications (Graphic Design) and has worked as a Graphic Designer and/or Marketing Director for 8 years.

In her free time, Abbey enjoys exploring, trying new foods, roller coasters, swimming, archery, and hosting events in her home.

How do I find a Missional Community?

There are a few typical ways people find a MC to join:

1. Relationship - You know someone who's a part of a MC already, so you join theirs!
2. Geography - A MC gathers in your neighborhood, so you join to be in community and on mission near where you live.
3. Group Mission - You're drawn to a MC's specific mission in the city and choose to join that community.

All of our Missional Communities can be found via our Church Center page for MC's. There you will find contact information for the community leaders, gathering time and location, and group mission. Feel free to search that out on your own, and don't hesitate to reach out to the MC leader for more information.

SC Moline MCS