Senior Pastor

Pastor Ed & Heather Schefter

Pastor Ed was born and raised in Portland OR in a large, very active and creative family. He had a natural gifting for the creative arts, becoming involved in high school productions and later writing, directing and leading productions. After graduation from high school he was pursuing a career in the theatre, and had been accepted into Cal Arts Institute of Acting, and the Academy of the Dramatic Arts, but changed his plans after committing his life to Jesus Christ in 1979. Since that point he has had a real burden and passion to see multitudes saved and lives transformed by the power and love of Christ. Years later, this burden to reach the lost inspired Pastor Ed to write and produce the Telly Award winning production Eternity. To date, this internationally acclaimed production has been seen by over 2.5 million people and over 260,000 people have made decisions for Christ. Pastor Ed has had the privilege of working with over 300 churches across the nation; training, teaching, activating, and encouraging leaders and their congregations to fulfill the gifting and call of God upon their lives.

Pastor Ed graduated from Portland Bible College with a degree in Theology in 1989 and came on full-time staff at City Bible Church in 1996. Over the years, Pastor Ed and Heather have pastored in many different areas: youth, young adults, college/career singles, and families in a geographical district. He was most recently the Director of Evangelism, and oversaw many different outreach events in the Portland metro area. His ability to encourage people to serve the church and function in their giftings has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to serve their community and reach out to others in various ways. Pastor Ed was also instrumental in establishing City Bible Church's multi-campus simulcast strategy. As a team, Pastor Ed and Heather are committed to reaching out and touching the lives around them with the saving grace and loving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Originally from Canada, Heather attended Portland Bible College before becoming a staff member of City Bible Church in 1988. She worked as an assistant to Wendell & Gini Smith with the DragonSlayer Seminars, as the office administrator of Ministers Fellowship International and, most recently, as executive secretary to Pastor Frank Damazio. Heather is a skilled administrator and is gifted with hospitality. Over the years she has coordinated events ranging from intimate weddings to large conferences. She has led moms playgroups, led small groups, and taught Bible studies. Pastor Ed and Heather were married in 1994, after meeting and serving together in the young adult ministry. They now have four high-octane children: Alexia-8, Larissa-6, Lincoln-3, and baby Annalise, born in November. She is now faithfully serving her husband and children, as well as the church. Heather is a vital link in the leadership; she has a wealth of wisdom and a great deposit in the future of New York City Church.

Pastor Ed has had a heart for New York City for the last 30 years, and planting a church in New York City is the culmination of a life long dream. His fresh perspective and life message, coupled with experience, passion and gifting, will reach people right where they're at. Pastor Ed and Heather are honored to now serve the greater Manhattan area as the Senior Pastors of New York City Church.