shadow shadow

The Garden Staff


Lead Pastor: Dr. Linda McCoy

Dr. McCoy is a founding member of The Garden and has been a member of the pastoral staff at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church since 1982. Beginning in September of 1995 she became the pastor of The Garden. Prior to entering the ministry, Linda was a junior high school French teacher. She holds bachelor and master’s degrees from Indiana University as well as a Master of Divinity (Magna Cum Laude) from Christian Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Linda and her husband, Mike, live in Carmel, Indiana and have one adult daughter, Erin.

Oak Hill Pastor: Rev. Stan Abell

Stan joined The Garden as worship host in November 2002. Stan has recently finished his Master of Divinity degree at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Since 2003 Stan has been the site pastor at The Garden at Oak Hill. In 2004 Stan led a group from The Garden to Eldoret, Kenya to film a documentary on the AIDS crisis. That documentary, Into The Heart of Hope, appeared on PBS and won a Emmy Award in the category of public service programming.

Director of Worship: Beth Fried 

Beth has been a singer, dancer, and actress since her first solo in the 4th grade. She stumbled upon The Garden in 1996, and immediately joined The Good Earth Band as a lead vocalist. Beth has a Bachelors of Science in Radio/TV Journalism and a Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management. She helped start the Power of One, Inc. in 2004; a group that produced an Emmy Award winning documentary about efforts to bring an end to the HIVAIDS crisis in rural Kenya.

Beth enjoys gardening with her husband, Jonathan, and their kids, Nate and Audrey, ages 12 and 10. She also enjoys visiting NYC, where their daughter Averie, age 19, is in college in Brooklyn.

Media Ministry Specialist: Matt Peyton 

Matt is the newest memeber of the Garden staff. He is a graduate of Indiana University with degrees in journalism and English. After working at St. Luke's for a year and a half as the Associate Director of Junior High Youth, Matt joined the Garden to help create and support the virtual church. He has worked in various media positions including writing for The Indiana Daily Student and the Indianapolis Star, starting Moved Media, a company focused on telling the stories of non-profits, and shooting freelance photography.

Oak Hill Band Director: Steve Whipkey 

Steve Whipkey has been at Oak Hill since the very first service. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Florida, and a Master’s of Music Education from Indiana University. He was a member of the Walt Disney All-American College Jazz Band, and has performed with such artists as Maynard Ferguson, Tom Scott, Maynard Ferguson, Hall & Oates, and Natalie Cole. He played trumpet in the Spirit of Atlanta Drum Corps, and has also been a middle and high school band director. In addition to his work at Oak Hill Mr. Whipkey also serves as a professor of music at Marian College.

Good Earth Band Director: Troye Kinnett

Troye started taking piano lessons on the south side of Muncie when he was 8 years old. As a kid, a idolized Steve Wonder, then Eddie Van Halen and Elton John
Since 1996, Troye as performed as a studio musician with various recording artists at Gaither Studios in Alexandria. He has recorded and performed numerous times with gospel recording artist, Sandi Patti. Troye has played keyboards at The Garden, at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, since 1999, and began directing in 2004. Troye started performing with John Mellencamp in the spring of 2006. When not performing with John Mellencamp or at The Garden, Troye also composes music for radio and TV commercials at Earshot Audio-Post in Broad Ripple. One of Troye’s biggest thrills has been meeting and performing with Paul Shaffer (of The Late Show with David Letterman) for the show’s final song (a Dave Clark number) during John Mellencamp’s induction into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” this year. When John Mellencamp is not on tour, Troye has more time to spend at home with his wife, Barb and 8-year old son Sam (who is already showing his love for the drums). “It takes a lot of juggling to make a career out of music,” Troye says.  “But it’s worth it when you love what you do.”

Administrative Team Leader: Judy Tolley

Administrative Team Leader and Assistant to Linda McCoy. In November of 1998 Judy rejoined Linda, to make what they believe is “a pretty good team.” She worked for Linda for 10 ½ years when she was employed at St. Luke’s from 1983–1994, so they share a bit of history together. Judy is a graduate of Butler University and has lived in Indianapolis all her life. 

Garden Kid's Coordinator: Jennifer Andrews

Jennifer worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) from 2000-2008. She was hired to be the agency’s first staff Event Coordinator. She transitioned to program department in 2005 as a Match Support Specialist. Other professional experience includes coordinating child care for the Garden, working with children with disabilities; sales as an independent consultant with Premier Design; and working as an office assistant with Tucker Real Estate. Jennifer is the mother of two sons, Ryan (11) and Tyler (10). Jennifer loves to watch football, ride bikes with her sons, read, shop, spend time with family and friends, travel, give back to the community and be creative.