Dr. Joe LaGuardia, Senior Pastor
Joe LaGuardia has been on staff at Trinity Baptist Church since 2003, first as associate pastor and then as senior pastor as of April 2010. Joe’s personal mission is to practice inclusive hospitality, inspire Christians to grow in their commitment to Christ, and engage in prophetic, ethical proclamation in Rockdale County in order to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joe’s ministry is founded upon four tenets that govern his code of conduct.
Joe LaGuardia holds degrees from Palm Beach Atlantic University and McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University. He, his wife, and their two children enjoy reading, movies, art, and writing. Joe is also chaplain to Clairmont Oaks, Inc., in Decatur; and serves on the board of Family Promise of NewRock.
For more information, visit his website at www.joelaguardia.com or read Joe’s weekly blog. Email: trinityassociate@bellsouth.net
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Matt Cook, Associate Pastor
Matt Cook is associate pastor of missions and community formation. He and his wife, Michelle, are natives of Conyers and have been in a variety of ministries from youth to young adults. Matt is a graduate of McAfee School of Theology and works in the Rockdale County Public School system. Matt is also a certified teacher.
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Kristina LaGuardia, Children’s Minister
Kristina LaGuardia has over 15 years of experience in ministry and childhood education. Kristina currently teaches fifth-grade math and serves as grade chair.
Kristina holds a degree in Elementary Education from Palm Beach Atlantic University and is a certified teacher in the state of Georgia. Her interests include exercise, reading, music, visiting the Atlanta Zoo, and playing with her and Joe’s two children, Haleigh and Hayden.
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Deborah McRae, Office Administrator
Deborah McRae has been a part of the Trinity ministry team since 2005. She is retired from General Motors as a proud third-generation GM employee. Email: trinitybc3@bellsouth.net
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Pastor Darrell Palmes, Liturgical Artist
Darrell Palmes is director of Caring Touch ministries, a 501(C)3 organization that provides consultation and ministry to Seventh Day and inter-denominational communities.
Pastor Palmes contributes to Trinity’s worship experience by directing the choir and leading congregational singing.
He brings over a decade of ministerial and music experience and is of the Caring Touch Food Bank located at Trinity Baptist Church.
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Isaac Sharp, Liturgical Artist
Isaac Sharp is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010 from Carson Newman College in Religion, with minors in both Spanish and Oxford Studies. While at Carson Newman, Isaac served as staff organist for Gillespie Avenue Baptist Church in Knoxville for 4 years, playing also piano and guitar.
Isaac currently attends McAfee School of Theology, pursuing a Master of Divinity degree, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2013. At McAfee, Isaac intends on declaring a specialized concentration in Christian Social Ethics. Email: Isaac.Benjamin.Sharp@live.mercer.edu.
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Jackson Thomas, Youth Ministry Coordinator
Jackson Thomas is a student at Georgia Perimeter College and aspires to be a minister to youth and young people on the margins. Jackson enjoys music, the arts, and living a radical life for Jesus Christ. He has experience in ministry and missions, and has traveled to the Philippines and to the Ukraine.
Jackson’s mission is to reach out to questioning or oppressed young adults who are seeking a place to belong.
