OUR PASTORS

Jody and Tonya Carsten 

Jody and Tonya Carsten are the founding and lead pastors of City Church in Traverse City, Michigan. Jody and Tonya grew up as pastors’ kids and continued to serve God by following His call on their lives. After graduating from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1996, Jody and Tonya served on staff as Associate Pastors at Cleft Of The Rock Family Church as well as many other capacities that a growing church requires. From 2010 to 2011 Jody also served as National Director for Club1040, a mission organization establishing Rhema Bible Training Centers in North Africa, Egypt, Ireland and the UK. It was during this time that God began to speak to Jody and Tonya about moving to Traverse City to start City Church. In the fall of 2011 they officially moved to Traverse City to begin building a team for a successful launch in spring of 2013. Jody and Tonya realize Traverse City is a great city filled with flourishing churches. They are humbled to join that wave, playing their part as people throughout the city encounter life and hope in Christ.

Jody is married to his wife Tonya and they enjoy golfing, riding bikes, riding motorcycles, going for walks and most of all, hanging out together. They have two adult kids Zachary who is a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, currently the worship & creative director for City Church, and Mackenzie who is a graduate of Victory Bible Institute.