During the early years of Garden City Church, Jeff will serve as the Lead Pastor and sole elder, carrying the primary responsibility for shepherding and overseeing the church. This structure is intended to be temporary as the church is established and qualified leaders are raised up from within the congregation.

Garden City Church is being sent out by The Orchard in Tupelo, Mississippi, and planted in partnership with Stadia Church Planting. Throughout the church planting process, these relationships will provide encouragement, guidance, resources, and accountability as the church takes root and grows.

In addition, the Lead Pastor will appoint an Advisory Leadership Board made up of trusted leaders. During the first three years of the church plant, this board will provide counsel, support, and organizational stability while helping to identify, develop, and recognize qualified men for eldership.

Our desire is to establish a biblical plurality of elders as soon as it can be done wisely and faithfully. Following the principle of 1 Timothy 5:22, we believe church leaders should be appointed carefully and prayerfully rather than hastily. As elders are recognized and appointed, they will assume the responsibility of spiritual oversight together, and the Advisory Leadership Board will dissolve, having fulfilled its purpose.

We believe this approach provides meaningful accountability during the church's formative years and a clear pathway toward the shared leadership model taught throughout the New Testament.