Our Roots

Our Roots


A Relationship


Our pastors, Chris Johnson and Randy Knie met at six years old on big wheels on the northwest side of Milwaukee. Over the past 26 years, their journey of discipleship led them to dreaming together about what church could look like in Milwaukee.


A Dream


In the process of working at a restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, God placed a dream on Randy’s heart. Could there be a church in Milwaukee where even the tired and hungover servers would feel welcomed, just as they were?


The Dream Equipped


Chris and Randy became a part of a church family in Madison, Mad City Church. In that five year period, they were taught, shepherded, and guided by the pastors of Mad City. As that dream for church in Milwaukee grew, they entered into a season of intentional guidance and equipping for church planting.


The Early Days


The beginning of Brew City Church was simply three families – the Knies, the Johnsons and the Oligs – praying, worshiping and sharing life together. From those relationships a larger community emerged to form what Brew City is now – a big family.