LEADERSHIP


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 one block from the church building.

  • Stephanie GREER, outreach and women

    Stephanie lives in west Baltimore and works part-time for The Garden Church and as a full-time mom. In her role, Stephanie builds relationships with people in the community both in formal and informal settings. She helps to organize strategic outreach ministries and events and is a leading voice among women. 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 and they live in the community.


  • Aisha Hill, ADministrative Assistant

    Aisha serves The Garden Church as the administrative assistant to staff and officer manager for the church. She's typically the first face you'll see walking into the office or the first voice you hear  calling the church. Aisha is married to Eric, an elder, and she lives in the neighborhood with her family. Previously, Aisha served in the Air Force and worked in security at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

elders


  • ERIC HILL

    Eric has served as an elder since 2018. In addition to pastoring at The Garden Church, Eric works as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Eric lives with his family in the neighborhood. He and Aisha have two children.

  • 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.

  • 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)

    Tim is married to Cortney and oversees the usher ministry at The Garden Church which includes creating a welcoming presence, greeting, information for new attendees, and security. You'll likely meet Tim as you walk in on a Sunday. Tim and his wife, Cortney, have three kids -- two grown and one at home.

  • Kevin Greer, deacon (Facilities)

    Kevin oversees facilities along with a number of other ministries and tasks at The Garden Church. His deacon ministry includes ensuring a safe, clean, and  usable space for ministry, along with managing facility needs throughout the week. Kevin is married to Stephane and they have three children. 

  • Dawn Sessions, Deacon (Benevolence)

    Dawn oversees the benevolence ministry at The Garden Church. Her work includes providing necessary help to those in need. Dawn lives in west Baltimore with her husband, Brian, and they have five children. 

  • Nikhil Yesupriya, deacon (finance)

    Nikhil leads our finance team and oversees the budget and expenses. Nikhil is married to Krissy and they have one child. Fun fact - Nikhil is also a founder of Ekiben, one of Baltimore's most popular restaurants. 

  • Koye Oputa, church treasurer

    Koye serves as treasurer for The Garden Church. In her role, she ensures finances are kept safe and handled with respect and integrity. Koye is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and works in Baltimore. 

  • TOSIN Fadarey, church clerk

    Tosin is our clerk. The clerk serves our congregation through taking minutes at bi-monthly congregational meetings. What seems to be a small task comes with great importance as our congregation is ultimately responsible for the health of our local church. Tosin works in Baltimore.