A people

becoming.

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our mission

Connecting people to the heart of the Father

Hear • Believe • Obey

G arden City exists for one reason — to help people know God, experience freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. We're not a perfect church, and we're not pretending to be. We're a family of imperfect people who've encountered a perfect Savior, and we're better together.



our vision -we want to see people 

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Know God

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Experience Freedom

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Discover
Identity

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Make a
Difference


oUR STORY

From a living room to a city.

1998

The First Living Room

Twelve friends gathered weekly in a rented apartment to study Scripture, pray, and dream about what God might do.

2001

First Public Service

A rented school gymnasium, 47 folding chairs, one guitar, and a vision bigger than the room.

2009

Garden Way Campus Opens

After years of saving and faithful giving, we moved into the property that still calls us home today.

2016

Mission Beyond Our Walls

Launched our first international missions partnership and planted two daughter churches in neighboring cities.

Now

And Today —

Two thousand families. Twelve ministries. One unchanging mission: connecting people to the heart of the Father.


What We Believe

Rooted in truth.

These aren't just doctrines on a page — they're the convictions that shape how we live, love, and lead.

01

God

We believe God is a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each an uncreated person –– one in essence, equal in power and glory. We believe in God the Father, Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth.

02

Jesus

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Lord. He is fully God and fully human. He was born of the virgin Mary, died on the cross for our sins, rose again on the third day, and ascended to heaven. He reigns at the right hand of the Father and will return again to establish His kingdom.

03

Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is God, the Lord, and giver of life, who was given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit empowers Christ-followers to serve and share their faith, cleanses man from the old nature, and shapes us into the image of Christ

04

The Church

We believe in the Church, the bride of Christ, whose goal is to make disciples throughout the world. This global Church comprises many local fellowships. We affirm those fellowships that see Jesus Christ as Lord and the only way to Heaven.

05

Marriage

We believe marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, built on love, faithfulness, and mutual respect. Marriage reflects the faithful and unchanging love Christ has for His Church.

06

The Bible

We believe the Bible is the perfect and inspired Word of God. It is our source of all doctrine, instruction and correction. It provides practical guidance for everyday life. We believe that Jesus is the word made flesh and is the living message (word) of God.

07

Communion

We believe communion is a way of remembering Jesus’ death and celebrating our relationship with Him. We continue to take communion in remembrance of Him until He comes again.

08

Baptisms

We believe the Bible teaches three distinct baptisms in our journey with God:

Baptism into the Body — by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit brings us into relationship with Jesus and makes us part of His Church. Through faith in Jesus, we receive the gift of salvation.

Water Baptism — by Believers
Water baptism is an outward expression of our faith in Jesus. It represents the new life God has given us and our decision to follow Christ.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit — by Jesus
Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit, empowering us to live out our faith and use the gifts and fruit of the Spirit to build up the Church.

Our desire is to follow the Holy Spirit and grow deeper in our relationship with God as He leads us.


09

Sin

We believe mankind is enslaved to sin. Jesus Christ came to pay the price for our sin on the cross. By His death, we can be in a true relationship with God. His death makes possible the healing of our body, soul, and spiri


10

Salvation

Jesus Christ died for our sins as the only sufficient sacrifice, offering atonement for the sin of all mankind through His death, burial, and resurrection. While salvation is available to all, it is only experienced by those who receive His gracious gift by faith, apart from works. As a result of our new relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, we are called to a life of submission to the Holy Spirit, manifesting spiritual fruit, and walking in good works that God has prepared beforehand for us to do.


11

Resurrection

We believe in a literal second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and eagerly await the resurrection of those who died in Him. We believe in a literal Heaven and Hell. Christ, based on their relationship with Him, determines the eternal status for saints and unbelievers.


12

Eternity & The Kingdom

We believe everyone will spend eternity in one of two places. The saved will spend eternity in heaven, and the unsaved will spend eternity in hell. At the end of all things, God promises to make all things new. He invites us, His followers, to join Him in this work of renewal on earth. The signs of His kingdom coming are salvation, joy, peace, justice, God's presence, belonging, and healing


13

Human Sexuality

We believe every person is created in the image of God and has inherent dignity, value, and purpose. We believe God's design for sexuality is expressed within marriage between one man and one woman. We also believe God created humanity as male and female and that our biological sex is part of His design.


13

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers every believer with spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church and the advancement of God's mission. These gifts are diverse and include teaching, leadership, service, encouragement, healing, prophecy, tongues, and more. We believe that all the gifts of the Spirit are active and available today, and are to be used in love, humility, and order, under the guidance of Scripture. Every believer is encouraged to discover, develop, and use their gifts to serve others and glorify God.


13

Women in Ministry

We believe men and women are equally created in God's image, redeemed through Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We believe leadership and ministry are based on spiritual gifts, calling, and character—not gender. We affirm women serving in all areas of ministry, including preaching, teaching, pastoring, and leadership.


13

Politics and the Church

We believe the Church's primary mission is to preach the gospel and make disciples. We do not endorse political parties or candidates. We encourage believers to engage the world with wisdom, integrity, and love while keeping our unity in Christ above political differences. Our ultimate hope is in God's Kingdom, not earthly leaders or systems.


13

Sanctity of Life

We believe every human life is sacred because every person is created in the image of God. We believe life should be valued and protected from conception to natural death, including the unborn, elderly, disabled, and vulnerable. We oppose abortion and euthanasia and seek to respond to difficult situations with truth, compassion, grace, and the hope of Jesus.


Want the full statement of faith? We've got the long version too.
Read the Full Doctrine

Staff & Leadership

Meet the family.

The people who plan the services, preach the sermons, lead the teams, and answer the phones. They love Jesus and they'd love to meet you.
Lead Pastor

Stokes Collins

Lead Pastor

Stokes and Beth Collins bring a shared calling and complementary leadership to their ministry and life together. In 2010, Stokes left the business world for vocational ministry, serving over the past decade in roles including assimilation pastor, associate campus pastor, executive pastor, and campus pastor — helping lead both established and newly launched churches. Together, they're currently launching a church in Southwest Florida.

Married for over 25 years with two adult daughters, Stokes and Beth share a deep passion for the health and formation of the Church. Beth brings a strong pastoral and prophetic sensitivity, while Stokes carries a strategic and teaching gift, and together they're especially committed to helping believers rediscover the value of New Testament prophecy and its role in the Church today. Their heart is to cultivate communities grounded in Scripture, attentive to the Spirit, and formed for faithful presence in everyday life.

stokescollins@gardencity.cc
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Beth Collins

Connections Pastor
bethcollins@gardencity.cc
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Josh Hickman

Worship & Production Pastor
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Nikki Hickman

Next Gen Pastor

oUR STORY

We saved you
a seat.

The best way to get to know Garden City is to come and experience it. We'd love to meet you this Sunday.

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