Joey Gerarden has been named the campus pastor at Crossroads Community Church, our sister church located near downtown Green Bay at 520 S. Oakland Avenue.
Joey is an Ashwaubenon native who has served on the Green Bay Community Church staff for the past seven years.
“Joey has been part of our church for so long that he has the DNA, we felt like he’s part of us,” said GBCC lead pastor Troy Murphy. "I also think Joey carries a story that he’s been very open and honest about. It’s a powerful picture of transformation.”
Joey will bring a special skill set to the position that is centered around people.
"He really is kind of boots to the ground, kind of a shepherd discipler that we felt like that really fits,” Troy said. “He’s able to be in the lives of people and shepherd and be direct and yet loving. He just has that kind of an aura about him and draws people to him. We just felt like he’s a perfect fit.”
Joey said one of his goals is to build relationships at Crossroads.
"I love the spirit that’s inside that building,” Joey said. "There’s a draw, there’s a pull. That’s kind of what’s making me go there. I feel comfortable there. I’m getting to know the leaders. They are great people.”
One of the ministries at Crossroads is reaching out to people struggling with addiction, something Joey dealt with in his past.
"I don’t think addiction defines somebody,” Joey said. "We all come from a broken past. And it’s how we choose to deal with it. We can stay in that pattern of insanity, or we can step out of it and create a new legacy. That’s a big thing for me.”
Joey grew up playing hockey and left home at 15 to pursue that passion and played in the minor leagues for a time. Though he grew up in a church, he had never made a commitment to Christ, but when he was an adult and facing deep problems, he was drawn to the men’s ministry at GBCC. Through that teaching and connections with men there, Joey met Christ personally.
Joey is married to Crystal, and they have two daughters (Claire and Auly) and a son (Sam). Still a sports fanatic, Joey enjoys skating, golf and hockey.
