Launching Strong.
Growing Well.
Staying Portable
We help fast-growing churches like yours create scalable, volunteer-friendly systems that work week after week.
Our Story
In 1990, Peter van der Harst was helping plant a church in Michigan. Week after week, they loaded and unloaded gear into a rented space with no real system — just hope, sweat, and volunteers.
As an industrial engineer, Peter saw a gap. There had to be a better way to do church without a building. So he got to work designing storage systems and scalable kits that made it easier to “set up church” anywhere.
That small act of innovation became Portable Church® Industries.
By 1994, PCI was launched full-time and consulting with churches across the U.S. Within a few years, churches were calling from everywhere — starting from scratch, moving out of leased spaces, or recovering from disasters like tornadoes, arson, or building loss. We helped them keep going.
Over the years, we’ve partnered with churches worshiping in cafeterias, schools, high school gyms, theaters, and civic centers. Everything — from stages and sound systems to toys, banners, and signage — is packed in custom-engineered cases and rolled in and out like a tour team on mission.
What started as a one-man consulting firm has grown into a company that’s equipped over 3,000 churches across North America. Some want to launch strong. Others want to expand into new communities. And some never plan to build a permanent facility at all.
We’ve built portable setups for churches in Canada, Hawaii, Texas, Florida, and everywhere in between. We’ve helped churches impacted by natural disasters. And we’ve helped multi-site churches extend their reach, fast and lean.
Today our goal is still the same:
To help the Church thrive, not just survive, without the burden of a building.
We don’t just sell equipment.
We design systems.
We equip volunteers.
We simplify Sundays.
And we make portable feel permanent.
1990 — The Problem Emerges
Peter van der Harst helps plant a church in Michigan. Week after week, volunteers struggle to turn a rented space into a church. There’s no system. Just trial, error, and exhaustion.
1994 — Portable Church® is Born
Peter launches PCI full-time, designing custom carts, scalable systems, and volunteer-friendly setups for churches across the U.S.
Late 1990s — The Word Spreads
Churches in schools, theaters, and cafeterias begin reaching out. PCI becomes the go-to for mobile, turnkey church solutions.
2000s — From One-Offs to a Full Process
PCI grows from consulting to full-scale systems engineering — building kits that include everything from signage and tech gear to kids ministry and guest areas.
2010 — Innovation Meets Scale
Churches begin launching multi-site campuses. PCI equips churches coast-to-coast — from Honolulu to Canada — with scalable, reproducible setups.
2019 — Leadership for a New Season
Scott Cougill, a former executive pastor from Los Angeles, becomes CEO. The mission remains: help churches launch strong and stay mobile without losing their edge.
2020–2024 — Resilience in Crisis
PCI supports churches recovering from fire, floods, and COVID-era venue shifts. The need for portable, flexible solutions skyrockets.
2024 — Curt Banter Steps In as CEO
With years of experience as a design consultant, Curt Banter brings creative strategy, tech expertise, and deep church insight to lead PCI into its next season of innovation and partnership.
Today — Still Innovating for the Church
With over 3,000 churches served, PCI continues helping pastors turn unconventional spaces into excellent ministry environments — fast, smart, and built for growth.
ready to take the next step? let's talk
Let’s create the systems, spaces, and strategy your church needs to thrive.