Kanada Garland

connecting & Community Operations Director

In Matthew 18, Jesus calls His followers to become like a child, humble themselves like a child, and to receive children in His name (Matthew 18:2-5). Serving in kids ministry is a great joy and a constant teacher of what children are like and why Jesus calls us to be like them. Not to mention, kids bring the fun, and they shoot it to you straight.

Born and raised in Gifford/Vero Beach, Florida (Go, Fighting Indians!) I’m the eldest of my siblings, and as a true firstborn, I walked through early life like I knew everything and had all the answers. Marrying young in 2007, moving to the DFW area in 2009, and having my first child in 2011 set me up for a reality check on just how much I didn’t know. Primarily, I didn’t know that I had a Father in heaven and that He truly loved me. I spent the first 23 years of my life leaning on my own understanding and making harmful choices along the way. But God! One morning in 2012, Jesus came and found me right in the middle of my mess. He didn’t ask me to change first, He just asked me to trust Him. I did. He has and continues to faithfully walk me through the changing and gently draws me closer to Him through loving sanctification.

Mr. Jeremy is my husband, and we have three sons Daniel, Dexter, & Dalton. We’ve been beautifully blended since 2013. We love motorcycles, late night ice cream, dance parties, and we really like to eat! I’m crazy about Pickleball and play every chance I get. My degree is in Information Technology, but I served in children’s ministry for the first time back in 2014 and I’ve been hooked ever since!  Sharing the truth about God’s love and His Word with littles is so much more than childcare and I’m so grateful that I get to do it.