MEET OUR TEAM

Lead Pastor, Josh & Emily Shockey

In 2017 Pastor Josh was sitting in his car right after serving at a youth camp, he was tired, trying his best to take a moment to rest before jumping into the next thing, when he felt the Lord start to speak to his heart. In the way only God can speak to the heart, He told Josh, I’m calling you to Detroit Michigan to plant a church.

“Over the past 8 years God has given me amazing opportunities to lead as a student pastor, campus pastor, and global connections pastor, at Fellowship Church in Dallas Texas. I believe God used all of those roles to equip me with what I would need to know as He put a great calling on our lives to plant a church in Detroit Michigan. On our first visit to Detroit, Emily and I both fell in love with the city and had an overwhelming sense of peace that we were exactly where God was calling us. We are both incredibly passionate about pushing the vision of Motor City Church forward, which is to see people encounter and live out a relationship with Jesus.”

Pastor Eric & Bri Thiede

Eric & Bri have been in full time ministry for over 15 years together. They served alongside Josh and Emily at Fellowship Church in Dallas, TX for a little over 5 years. Originally from the Detroit Metro area Motor City Church was placed on Pastor Eric and Bri’s heart in early April of 2019. They began helping lead worship during the “Friday Interest Nights” and during that time a call to Motor City Church flourished! Eric has always held a passion for the city of Detroit. Their drive and motivation is to see people connect to Jesus through whatever creative means necessary. He and Bri have been married over 10 years and have 3 energetic boys!

“I never thought I’d be a part of a church plant! It was actually my wife who came to me and said…’ya know, I think this is the real reason why we moved back home, I think we’re supposed to help them start this church.’ Well, that caught me off guard, because if there’s one person on earth who I thought didn’t want to start a church more than me it was her, being a pastor’s kid. But let me tell you, this season of our lives has literally been one of the best, if not the best, season of ministry in our lives. God’s miraculous has shown up over and over, people are genuinely getting saved on a weekly basis, and our hope is that we stay out of the way and let God do His thing.”

Pastor Matt & Sarah Garon

Pastor Matt and his wife Sarah are Metro Detroit natives. They are passionate about seeing the people of the city encounter Jesus and live out a relationship with Him. Prior to coming on staff in November 2022, they served on the creative team at Motor City Church. Pastor Matt has worked in multiple different church environments that have equipped him to operate as Motor City’s Connections Pastor.

His passion is for connecting people to God and to other believers. In addition to building teams at MCC, Pastor Matt is also an artist and musician. His wife Sarah is a dedicated healthcare worker, with a background in the performing arts. They are excited and honored to be part of the Motor City Church family and are expectant of what God has in store for the city of Detroit.

Pastor Sha’Quille & Lauren Mathis

Six months into marriage Pastor Sha’Quille and his wife Lauren moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Detroit, Michigan in September of 2025. Pastor Sha’Quille currently serves as the Youth Pastor and Lauren, the Administrative Assistant and Production Manager at Motor City Church. Before moving, they both served on staff at Trademark Church in Fort Worth, Texas where Pastor Sha’Quille served as the Student Ministry Coordinator and Lauren as the Production Manager. Pastor Sha’Quille previously served alongside Pastor Josh, Eric, and Matt at Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas. Prior to ministry, Lauren taught high school theatre/speech while also serving as a coach and sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

They both share a deep desire and heart for the youth to encounter and live out a relationship with Jesus. As well as, teaching others how to use their talents and gifts to glorify God. They believe that the Lord has brought them to Detroit for such a time as this!