staff



  • Joel kurz, lead pastor

    Joel and his wife Jess moved to Baltimore in July, 2008 and began work toward planting a new church. Over time, a core group was gathered and The Garden Church constituted as a church in 2012. Joel graduated from Spurgeon Baptist Bible College in 2003 (Mulberry, FL) with a B.A. in Biblical Studies, and later earned a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary (Louisville, KY). He previously served for five years as a youth pastor at Greensboro Baptist Church  in Maryland,  Joel and his wife, Jess, have four children, Jadyn, Eden, Haddon, and Chapman and they live in west Baltimore.

  • Stephanie GREER, Life coaching

    Stephanie lives in west Baltimore and works as a "Life Coach" at The Garden Church. In her role, Stephanie builds relationships with people in the community both in formal and informal settings. She oversees the job readiness-training program, mentorships and jobs network. Stephanie was born in New York City and raised in Orlando. She graduated from  The Master’s University and Seminary having received a Masters degree in Biblical Counseling. Stephanie is married to Kevin Greer.


  • Aisha Hill, ADministrative Assistant

    Aisha serves The Garden Church as the administrative assistant to staff and congregation. 

elders


  • Joel Kurz

    Joel is Lead Pastor of The Garden Church and has been serving as an elder since the church began. Joel and Jess live in the neighborhood. In addition to his duties as an elder, Joel directs ONE HOPE, a ministry out of TGC, seeking to build healthy churches in the inner city.

  • Akin OMISANMI

    Akin has served as an elder since 2024. Akin is additionally a church planter resident with ONE HOPE and working toward a church revitalization in southwest Baltimore. Akin lives with his family in southwest.

  • Mike roach

    Mike has served as an elders since the beginning of 2021. In addition to his duties at The Garden Church, Mike works as a project manger. Mike lives in the neighborhood and is married to Bekah. They have three children.

  • Andrew secrist

    Andrew has served as an elder since 2022. In addition to his duties at The Garden Church, Andrew works for World Relief in Baltimore, MD. Andrew lives in east Baltimore with his wife Amy and son Jude.

Deacons and officers


  • Tim carey, deacon (ushers)


  • Kevin Greer, deacon (Facilities)


  • Dawn Sessions, Deacon (Benevolence)


  • Nikhil Yesupriya, deacon (finance)


  • LOGAN PLASTER, DEACON (CHILDREN)


  • Koye Oputa, church treasurer


  • Susanna Gaking, Church Clerk