Who We Are

We are a welcoming family encountering God and equipping world changers through Biblical training, spirit-led worship, and persistent prayer.

Where We Came From

Church at the Gate, aka The Gate, originally named Harvest Covenant Church, was conceived in the early months of 1994 in the hearts of a handful of people who were passionate about seeing people come to Christ. The search was on for a “church planter” who would come to give shape and direction to this budding vision to start a new church, a “different kind of church.” Pastor Steve Hickey and his family moved to Sioux Falls in June, 1994 and our first “preview” service was held August 5, 1994 at Oscar Howe Elementary School. That first fall, we sought to gain momentum for our much publicized March 5, 1995 launch Sunday (It snowed nine inches that day and many other churches in town cancelled services!). Not to be deterred, the first couple of years were spent aggressively reaching out through strategic events and personal invites.

Over the next five years, we moved from Oscar Howe Elementary School to Memorial Middle School, to Roosevelt High School and then camped for a couple years in a small church building on Marion Road. Our present facility was completed in 2001 and in 2008 we added a children’s ministry on the east side of the church. During this time there was a strong sense of certainty here that God has called us to wash the feet of the Native American in our state and seek reconciliation such that the land would be healed.

These “moves” are what were visible from the “outside.” On the “inside,” God was moving. In 1996, God laid it on our hearts to take prayer seriously and today, persistent prayer has become our passion and privilege. The Winds of the Spirit have mightily graced our church. Deep in our DNA has been the mandate to be a “regional mission outpost” which has manifest itself over the years through the planting of additional congregations, and the networking with churches statewide for Kingdom impact. Our first church plant was in 1999 when we sent 32 people to Brandon to establish Living Springs Covenant Church. In 2010 we planted Living Rock Church in Luverne, Minnesota.

Believing that strategic mission assignments take strategic leadership, in recent years we have focused on multiplying leaders and even restructured from a congregational model to an apostolic model (which means strong pastoral leadership surrounded by a strong presbytery of elders). Such changes were very instrumental for us continuing to fulfill our God-given mission assignment but they were incompatible with our denominational affiliation. In February, 2005, we officially became a non-denominational church. This change created a window of opportunity to change our church name to more reflect the fact that God has called our church to be a “gate church”. As Genesis 28:17 declares, “…”How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (NASB). This is a people and a place where we believe for the realization of the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 (NASB)

Where We Are Going

We are a welcoming family…

Ephesians 2:19 (GW)  That is why you are no longer foreigners and outsiders but citizens together with God’s people and members of God’s family.

  • We believe Jesus died and rose again to make all people insiders.

  • Jesus is God’s, “YES” to all of us.

…encountering God…

Psalms 34:8 (TPT) Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God.

Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him.

  • We expect both personal and family gatherings to be life-giving encounters with God.

  • God longs to be up close and personal.

…and equipping world changers…

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. 

Ephesians 2:10 (AMP). For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

  • God sees everyone as a potential world changer.

  • Every member is in full-time ministry.

  • Five-fold ministry (those mentioned in Ephesians 4 above) is all about equipping God’s people to do the work of ministry.

  • People are the ministers, Five-fold leaders are ad-ministers.

The Highway / Our method for hitting the ministry target

“…through Biblical training…”

2 Timothy 4:2 (TPT) proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spirit —with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.

  • The Bible, interpreted from a New Covenant perspective, is our foundation.

  • Preaching the rightly divided Word will always be a priority at Church at the Gate.

  • We value hands-on ministry training. 

“…dynamic worship…”

John 4:23 (NASB)  “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

Romans 12:1 (TPT) Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.

Psalms 22:3 (TPT) Yet I know that you are most holy; it’s indisputable. You are God-Enthroned, surrounded with songs, living among the shouts of praise of your princely people.

  • God is seeking after worshippers.

  • Worship is an everyday lifestyle that spills over into our family gatherings.  

  • Praise and worship at Church at the Gate is energetic, passionate, and vibrant!

  • God manifests His presence in the midst of praise and worship.

“…persistent prayer…”

James 5:16 (AMP) …The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much…

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (AMP) be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

  • Every believer is righteous because of Jesus.

  • There are no professional pray-ers. 

  • Prayer is not about getting God’s attention, but releasing His intentions.

  • Prayer is the foundation for all we do.