STAFF

Instead of a single lead pastor guiding the congregation, we choose to have a group of pastors & elders who both share in the teaching of the church as well as share in the day-to-day leadership and care of the church community. Our desire is to seek to model the ways of Jesus in our leadership. Given this conviction, we believe that a plurality of servant-leaders best ensures the spiritual health of both the leaders and members of the local body. We recognize and anticipate that this will not be without struggle, but we are committed to striving to be led by the Spirit as we lead Garden City Church as a Spirit-filled team. For more details please visit our values and commitments page.

Our pastors and staff are bi-vocational. It is both a conviction and commitment that our pastors and staff are financially cared for by our community but we also desire for them to stay connected and engaged with the outside world. Along with the rest of our community, our staff view themselves as sent missionaries to the world.

  • Ashley Sumba

    Kids Discipleship & Care

  • Jaimie Marks

    Worship & Hospitality

  • Matthew Gibson

    Teaching & Gospel Community Care

Elders

Elders partner with our pastors in serving and shepherding the local communal church. They lead in prayer, teaching, confession, and sacrifice. This role in our church is a privilege and we seek to install people who are already embodying the life of an elder; what we call elder (ing).

Our elders serve in their role for a term of 3 to 5 years. After a 5 year term, any lay elder takes a minimum of a 1 year sabbatical from their shepherding responsibilities. After a 1 year sabbatical, the lay elder may return to their role for another term if the Spirit is leading in this way. This ensures our servant leaders continue a rhythm of healthy work and rest. This also is a practice against believing an appointment to the office of elder is an identity marker for the elders among us. This practice invites us to remember that the role of elder is a calling and gift to be the first to serve not the first to be served.

  • Ranae Calvert

    Lay Elder

  • Matthew Gibson

    Elder/Pastor