Lead Pastor
tschmidt@gctempe.org
Troy Schmidt
My job is to: I feel my job is to awaken and equip the local church to maximize it’s kingdom impact and am blessed that God has called me to do that at Gethsemane.
I love my job because: I enjoy the challenge of leading a complex ministry like Gethsemane and having the opportunity to be a part of what God’s people are doing in this community.
Background: I received my bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Concordia University, Austin TX in 1999. In 2004, I graduated with a Master’s of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Upon graduation from Seminary, I received my first call to serve as an associate pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. During the four and a half years I served there, I was involved in everything from leading our network of nearly 100 small groups to being the campus pastor of our League City campus.
In 2008, I received the call to be Senior Pastor at Gethsemane and have been serving here ever since.
A Bible verse I turn to time and time again is: Psalm 139 has always been important to me. Early on in ministry, I feel that God used it to encourage me to be the pastor He had wired me to be and place my trust and confidence in what He is doing. I often turn to this Psalm for encouragement and strength.
Something fun you don’t know about me is: I golf for fun, run and bike for exercise, cook to relax, and enjoy the company of good friends and family.
Organizational Administrator
karnold@gctempe.org
Kristina Arnold
My job is to: In my role I am responsible for any business related items, including all accounting, finance, and HR. I also oversee any maintenance and facilities operations.
I love my job because: I love the people and the community at Gethsemane. We are a very diverse group of people, but come together in our mission.
Background: I graduated from ASU with a Bachelors of Finance and worked in the Hospitality industry as an Assistant Director of Finance for 12 years. I started at GLC in May 2014.
A Bible verse I turn to time and time again is: 1 Corinthians 12:12, The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.
Something fun you don’t know about me is: I played trombone in the ASU Marching Band in college… Go Devils!
Gethsemane Academy Director
srosenbaum@gatempe.org
Sandy Rosenbaum
About me: I am married to Kent and we have three children, Darrel, Dana and Dustin. Darrel is married to Julia and they have blessed us with 2 granddaughters.
My favorite subjects in school are writing and reading.
A Bible verse I turn to time and time again is: Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous for I will be with you wherever you go.
I am a charter member of Gethsemane Church and worked as an aide here in the 1980’s. I graduated from ASU with a degree in Elementary Education and I have a Master’s Degree from NAU. I was a teacher for Mesa Public Schools for 32 years before coming to GCA last October.
2’s Preschool Teacher
Cristal Medina
I have been teaching at Gethsemane for thirteen years in the two’s class because I love little children. I am a Christian who loves sharing Jesus with my little students.
I am an Arizona native. I graduated from Marcos DeNiza that is just down the street. My family and I love hiking and going to the various festivals that are available during the year. My three boys enjoy being outside in the beautiful Arizona sunshine.
2’s/3’s Preschool Teacher
Amber Davenport
4’s Preschool Teacher
Lauren Long
I’ve been teaching for 4 years. I was most recently at Chaparral Christian Community School before I went on maternity leave.
Working with kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder inspired me to be a teacher.
I received my Bachelor’s Degree at Grand Canyon University and Cambridge London. I am continuing my education at GCU pursuing a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Everyone is different. Everyone is valuable. I hope they learn that they matter, are seen and are capable. Most of all that they are loved by Jesus, their family, their friends & me!
I have a six month old daughter with I spend all of my time with when I’m not at GCA!
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3’s/4’s Preschool Teacher
Nohemi Gonzalez-Cruz
About me: I have been married to my wonderful husband for almost 23 years. We have 2 girls (Maggie, 22 and Elizabeth ,12) and a son (Jasiel, 20).
I attended ASU, where I majored in English literature with an emphasis in Shakespeare and minored in Chicano Studies. I’ve taught preschool for the last 8 years.
I’m always excited to start the school year. It’s a blessing to be a part of the littles’ lives. I feel honored and humbled by the trust you, the parents and administration, have placed on me.
Bible verse I turn to time and time again: My favorite passage is found in Philippians 1: 18 b- 21. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Fun fact about me: I am always thinking in Spanish and I auto translate to English when speaking. The blank stare just means I can’t find the word yet.
Kindergarten Teacher
Maddie Burcham
About Me: My name is Maddie and I am 24 years old. I have been living in Arizona for 10 years now and have fallen in love with the state. I just graduated from the University of Arizona with my bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with young children professionally for 6 years and have always known this is where my passion lies. I have experience working in a Christian environment and love having the opportunity to share God’s love with young children during our time together. I am looking forward to the new school year ahead!
3’s/4’s Preschool Teacher
Kellie Martinez
About Me: I am a Christian born and raised in Arizona. I graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in art education and drawing. I love children and have worked at Gethsemane for nine years as a lead during summer camp and assisting in after daycare.
My Family Includes: My father Michael, my mother Roxane I also have two older siblings, Curtis and Amber!
My favorite subject in school was: Art/Art history. Watercolor is my favorite medium to create with and I find The High Renaissance and Art of the Edo Period fascinating.
A Bible verse I turn to time and time again is: “The Lord will give strength to his people; The Lord will bless his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
Something fun you don’t know about me: I love collecting old history books.
4’s Pre-K Teacher
Tara Kaczmarek
My job is to: I teach the 4’s Pre-K class.
Background: I grew up in MN, attended college at UW-LaCrosse and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a BS in Elementary Education with a history minor. I have dual Masters in Educational Technology and Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Phoenix. I have lived in AZ since 1995!
Kitchen Manager
Renee Ferguson
I began at Gethsemane September 2022 as a teachers aide and have recently accepted the kitchen managers position. I have enjoyed my first month in my new role and look forward to this year!
I grew up in the Bay area in California and settled in Arizona after a few years of working in full-time ministry both in Los Angeles and South Africa. I worked for a local police department answering 911 and dispatching police officers for 11 years after moving here. I married Joshua at the end of 2009 and we have 4 (really cute) kids together! I love all things water and in the last couple years have really loved to paddle board and go on little adventures!
The word of God has transformed my life in ways I never thought possible and I will be forever grateful. The faith and faithfulness of Ruth to leave her gods and the gods of her people behind and follow the one true God into an unknown land with an unknown future really encourages me!