Pastor Brandon Garland

I am a dynamic, passionate communicator who will move and inspire your audience toward steps of action, faith, and ultimately, towards God. I am naturally an expositional preacher, who will pick a certain text and give the context, explanation, and application of that text in ways that are culturally relevant and practically helpful. My messages are narrative in style, meaning I will invite the hearer on an experiential journey into Scripture and, by the end, into some sort of transformational encounter with God.

When I was 17, in the process of college applications and figuring out what to do with my life, I was leaning towards going to journalism school to become a sportswriter. But in one of the most profound and significant experiences I have ever had, a confluence of no less than a dozen people over the course of about a month and a half, some of whom I knew well and others who were essentially strangers, began saying some version of the same thing: ‘have you ever thought about being a pastor?’ It was through these external promptings that I heard God speak internally, and I discerned Him calling me not just into ministry generically, but to one day start a church.

I have done my best to align the rest of my life with that calling. I went to Bible College and Seminary, planning to graduate in 5 years with both my Master and Undergraduate degrees, but God had other plans. In 2016, He opened the door for my summer youth internship at First Baptist Charlotte to turn into a full-time role, and in serving there for 3 years, I discovered that not only was I called to preach, but that God had gifted me to do so. At the end of 2018, God then opened the door to become a Youth Pastor at Forest Hill Church, a large, multi-site church in Charlotte, and there I learned how to build a team, grow a ministry, and communicate weekly to a large group of people. Additionally, I graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with my Master of Arts in Christian Leadership and was formally ordained as a Pastor. During this time period, God also graciously allowed me to marry the greatest person I’ve ever met, formerly known as Maya Matthews, in 2020. After serving in Youth Ministry for 3 years, I moved into a role as a member of the Teaching Team at Forest Hill in August of 2021, working closely with our Lead Pastor of Direction to both serve the church and be equipped practically with experiential knowledge of what it’s like to lead a church.

I had the privilege in 2023 of traveling and speaking at youth conferences, summer camps, churches, and other ministry venues, and had the opportunity to preach before thousands, see dozens upon dozens of decisions for Jesus, dozens more baptisms, and dozens more people experience life transformation through the power of God’s Word. As 2023 ended, God unexpectedly opened the door for Maya and me to move to Atlanta to join 12Stone Church for a 14-month season of being prepared by this incredible local church to plant and lead the church that He’s called us to start.

As 2025 began, we moved halfway across the country, officially relocating to Austin, Texas, to begin the process of planting a life-giving church. We are full of faith for all that God is going to do as we partner with Him to see people far from God meet Jesus, discover their purpose, and be empowered to make a difference in and beyond Austin.

I prefer to speak with a wireless, handheld microphone, but am happy to use whatever microphone equipment your event has. I do need a table, or, preferably, a podium, for my iPad, Bible, and water.