MEET THE TJADENS

A smiling man and woman standing close together indoors, woman holding man's arm, both dressed casually in warm clothing, with a beige and brick wall background.

Nolan is the lead pastor of the Garden.

He and Lindsey moved from Portland to Phoenix to plant the Garden with their three kids. Lindsey is a lifelong follower of Jesus, a passionate mom, and entrepreneur. Nolan grew up suspicious of church and religion before a powerful encounter with Jesus. In 2015, Nolan started a youth ministry that led to a staff pastoral role at a church near Portland, Oregon. Nolan and Lindsey moved to the Valley and launched the church in September of 2023.

BOARD

  • A smiling man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a black sweater over a red shirt, standing indoors with a blurred background.

    Dave Sutherland

  • Bill Bush Rock Point Church

    Bill Bush

  • Randy Deal Rock Point Church Vision Arizona

    Randy Deal

NETWORK AFFILIATIONS

  • Converge Southwest logo in black and white featuring a stylized cross and the text 'Converge Southwest'.
  • A logo featuring a circular mountain design with sharp, jagged peaks at the center, and stylized wings extending from the sides.

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

  • It seems like everyday we hear of tragic leadership failures in the local church. This should not be. God has outlined how His Church is to be led.

    In Acts we see Paul plant churches and loop back to those young churches to faithfully and carefully assign elders.

    ”And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (Acts 14:23)

    Paul wrote to Titus, ”This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you…”

    This is why we’re working to do the same.

    The Garden is currently led by Nolan with the guidance and accountability of pastoral coaches from Vision Arizona, Flatirons Church Planting Network, Strategic Launch Network and a external board which will eventually be replaced by a local board of elders.

  • Churches should be led by a plurality of biblically qualified men according to the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

    Our elder team is currently undergoing a thorough doctrinal and practical development process with the help of the oversight outlined above.

  • Titus 1:7–9 says, “…an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

    God’s vision is for local churches to be led by elders who know how to live on mission and who have the character to protect the mission.

    You’ll notice they need to be “hospitable” meaning, to welcome the outsider. Elders evidence both love for the Lord and love for the lost. And they equip the body to be on mission by example and through leadership.

    THE MISSION OF THE GARDEN IS TO MAKE, MATURE, AND MULTIPLY DISCIPLES OF JESUS.

    In order to fulfill this mission the Garden is built upon three pillars:

    The Word of God, the Way of Jesus, and being a compelling Witness to the West Valley.

Want to learn more about our beliefs?

READ DOCTRINE