Leadership

Pastor John has been raised in the community of Carthage and has a huge heart for this community.  Along with his wife Adrian, they have raised their 3 kids (Ava, Grey, Etta) here as well.  After many years of youth ministry, John has been our lead pastor since 2021.  John has forever been changed by the love of Jesus and feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share that love with others.  In his free time he loves to spend time with his friends and family, most likely around a barbecue or fire pit with great music.

Pastor Edxel, and yes we already know you're struggling to pronounce his name. We've found it easier to say XL like the sizing. Pastor Edxel was born, and raised in Carthage. A community he says help build, and shape him into the man he is today. He is a graduate from Chicago Masters Commission, and MSSU. In his first year of C.M.C his life was forever changed by the Lord, and knew from that moment his mission was to one day move back into his hometown, and feed the community that fed him. You will most likely find him mountain biking with his family, friends, and mountain biking. 

Scott Templeman serves as our worship leader here at City Gate. He and his wife Aubree, have raised their family of two daughters and two sons deeply rooted in the Carthage community, Scott’s life and ministry are a testament to his unwavering commitment to faith and family. For Scott, praise and worship transcend mere musical expression; they are vital avenues for connecting with God and fostering spiritual growth within the congregation. His leadership in worship is characterized by a heartfelt desire to create an environment where individuals can experience the transformative power of God’s presence. Through his dedication, Scott inspires others to embrace worship as a central aspect of their daily lives, nurturing a community united in faith and devotion.

Blake and Hannah Cupp lead our Kid City children’s ministry here at City Gate.  With three children of their own, they realized God was calling them into a new direction and stepped into this role in 2023 with a desire to do their part in shaping the lives of this next generation. In today’s world, being a Christian can be a challenge and they believe teaching our children at a young age how to love everyone as Jesus would, regardless of how others believe or treat you, is one of the most important lessons you can learn. Their desire is to show our next generation that church isn’t just a building and that God has a role for each child as part of his kingdom.