Canvas Church | Pastor Matt & Rachel Simms
As Canvas Church in Mankato approaches its 10-year anniversary, it stands as a healthy, growing congregation making a tangible impact in its city. But for Pastor Matt Sims, the milestone represents more than longevity; it tells a story of perseverance through seasons that nearly ended it all.
“We came really close to closing the doors,” Sims said.
Sims grew up in a strong church environment at Cornerstone Assemblies of God in Austin, but his faith became personal during a difficult season in his teenage years. Struggling with relationships at home and school, he reached a breaking point. “Oh God, you’ve got to have something better. This isn’t working,” he recalled. Not long after, during a summer camp at Lake Geneva, he sensed God calling him into ministry.
Though unsure at first, Sims pursued that calling at North Central University. After graduating in 2013 and getting married, he and his wife, Rachel, expected to spend years gaining experience before planting a church. Instead, through prayer and encouragement from district leaders, they felt clearly led to Mankato, a city where they had no prior connections.
“We had no ties to Mankato… it came out of prayer,” Sims said.
At just 25 years old, the couple launched Canvas Church in fall 2016. What followed were some of the most challenging years of their lives.
“Our first few years were really hard… pretty painful,” he said. “We really loved Jesus… we were just bad pastors.”
Balancing outside work with ministry, Sims admits they lacked leadership experience and avoided necessary confrontation. The result was disorganization, hurt feelings among volunteers, and a steep decline in attendance. Within a year, the church had lost nearly half its people, and trusted voices suggested it might be time to close.
But in that critical moment, God used several voices to shift Sims’ perspective. One mentor responded bluntly: “It sounds like ministry. Why would you close the doors?” Local pastors shared their own stories of hardship, reminding him that longevity in ministry is often forged through difficulty. A sermon he heard during that season posed a question that stuck: “Do you have the grit to do what God’s asked you to do?”
Instead of walking away, Sims stepped in fully, raising support to move into full-time ministry. Slowly, things began to change.
Today, Canvas Church reflects that growth. Several staff members came to faith within the church itself, and a strong culture of discipleship has taken root. From men’s and women’s ministries to community partnerships with organizations like the Salvation Army, the church continues to invest deeply in both spiritual formation and local outreach.
“We’re making an impact in the city,” Sims said. “I love our team.”
Now, a decade in, Sims finds himself encouraging other pastors in Mankato—the same kind of support that once helped him stay.
His advice is simple: “Don’t quit. Give God a chance to grow you. You don’t come ready-made.”
