Rev. Tiffany Garcea is passionate about shepherding congregations with warmth, steady leadership, and a deep commitment to connecting faith and daily life. She believes the church is a family—called to worship faithfully, grow disciples, serve boldly, and embody Christ’s hope in tangible ways.
Tiffany is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and is finishing her thirteenth year of pastoral ministry. She most recently served six years as pastor of Erie United Methodist Church in Erie, Illinois, and previously served First UMC of Elizabeth, Hanover UMC, Scales Mound UMC, and as Director of Christian Education & Youth Ministries at Poplar Grove UMC. Her ministry has consistently focused on revitalization, discipleship, and rural church leadership.
Tiffany holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Geneva College and a Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She has completed doctoral coursework for a doctorate in Revitalizing the Church and Its Mission and is finishing her dissertation, with anticipated graduation in May 2027. She also holds Illinois teaching licenses in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Her outreach extends beyond the church walls and into the life of the community. Tiffany has served six years as chaplain of the Erie Police Department and previously served five years as chaplain of the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Department and Jo Daviess County Jail. She is the founder and president of Raising Hope, a nonprofit foster care closet serving twelve counties in Illinois. She also coaches youth sports and academic teams, shares a weekly radio devotional, “Five Minutes of Grace,” on Rock River Community Radio, and partners each year with local middle school educators to present on Christianity as part of their world religions unit. Through these and other community partnerships, she seeks to build meaningful relationships that reflect Christ’s love in practical ways.
Conference-wide, Tiffany has served on the Northern Illinois Board of Ordained Ministry since 2019, including the past two years as Board Secretary. She also serves as clergy on the Walk to Emmaus. She greatly enjoys connecting the churches where she serves to the wider Northern IL Conference.
Tiffany and her clergy husband Joey have seven sons and one daughter. Tiffany and her family look forward to meeting everyone soon! She is grateful for the blessing and opportunity to be a part of Harmony United Methodist Church.
