Jay & Nancy Fields - Pastor & Wife
Married: March 20, 1971
Children: Carrie (30) and Daniel Yu of Seattle, Washington
Eric (27) and Anita Fields of Bristol, Tenn.
Grandchildren: Ethan Tin Yau Yu (born August 10th, 2007!)
Where from: Portland, Oregon (we are Oregonians, not Yankees)
Favorite exercise: running (Jay—Nancy likes to walk)
Favorite hobbies: hiking and exploring around the area, reading, watching old Westerns
Favorite food: chocolate (the only truly godly food)
Favorite sport: Baseball (Jay)
Favorite team: New York Yankees (and, once again, Jay)
Most important role in life: being husband and wife and together parents to our children.
We began serving at Garden City Baptist Church on May 20, 2007 after serving as senior pastor/wife the past 8 years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and previously 4 years in Mansfield, Ohio and 6 years in Knoxville, Tennessee. We are very pleased and feel tremendously blessed to now live and serve in beautiful Roanoke. We believe we have been called to Garden City Baptist Church to work in the church both to serve the congregation and also to reach out into and serve the community. We were excited to come here because we see evidence that as a congregation, Garden City endeavors to be a witness of the love and caring of Jesus Christ and to be a church with a healing heart. We know that Garden City Baptist Church and its leadership is about helping people to come to know Christ, grow in Christ and serve in Christ because of his grace.
Background on the Fields: Nancy has a Bachelor’s of Science majoring in Child Development from Oregon State University and Master’s of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Tennessee. Jay has a Bachelor’s of Science majoring in Business Administration and Accounting from Oregon State University, MBA from Seattle City University, BA in Theology from Ambassador University, and course study in Marriage and Family counseling from the University of Tennessee.
Nancy has been a Children’s and Youth’s Librarian since 1995 with libraries in Ohio, Pittsburgh (as Youth Services Coordinator) and now is the Branch Manager of the Jackson Park Library in Roanoke. Jay’s work background prior to entering the full time ministry includes accounting (Controller) and business management.
Mark Mitchell - Youth Director
Mark was born and raised in the Garden City community and grew up attending Garden City Baptist. After graduating from William Byrd High School he committed his life to Christ in August 1991. Like many young American boys, Mark had dreams of playing professional baseball. But after a year and a half of playing college ball he decided to concentrate on his musical abilities earning a BA in instrumental music from Ferrum College. Mark has a wonderful wife, Karie, and three terrific little girls, Haley, Lillian, and Makenna.
Mark has been Youth Director since 1999.
