Shaq Hager
Co-Pastor & Planter
Shaq is a Pittsburgh native. He and his wife, Ruth, reside with their two children, Eric and Miracle in the North Side’s Brighton Heights neighborhood. Shaq graduated from Penn State University, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice, and served in many local non-profit organizations before planting Garden City Church with Dennis and Julia in 2021. He and his wife, Ruth, are advocates for foster children and families. In his free time, Shaq enjoys spending time with his family, designing art collages, and reading books on contemplative living.
Dennis Allan
Co-Pastor & Planter
Dennis grew up in the Pittsburgh region. He graduated from Grove City College with Bachelor’s Degrees in English and Education and studied theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to planting Garden City, he worked at Alcoa as an analyst and software manager and then served on-staff at North Way Christian Community as a High School Ministry Director, Associate Pastor, and Campus Pastor. Dennis enjoys reading good books, both fiction and non-fiction, and is a long-suffering Pirates fan. He and his wife, Julia, married in 2009 and have lived in the North Side ever since. They have five kids.
Julia Allan
Kids Ministry Co-Director & Planter
Julia grew up north of Pittsburgh, studied Molecular Biology at Grove City College, and then graduated from Barry University as a Certified Physician Assistant. She has practiced medicine at a local community pediatrics office since 2007 where she finds great joy in helping care for her neighbors. As part of her role at Garden City Julia writes the Kids Church curriculum. Julia loves a good mystery, creating fun and memorable experiences for her children, and dancing. Julia and her husband, Dennis, have lived in the North Side ever since they married in 2009. They live in Perry South with their five children.
Ruth Hager
Administrative Coordinator
Ruth moved to Pittsburgh in 2013, and after 15 years working in non-profit, missions, and ministry organizations, including Urban Impact where she worked with and built programs for children on the North Side. Ruth began doing administrative work for Garden City Church in 2022 and she enjoys helping the team execute tasks and stay focused and organized. In her free time she enjoys dancing, drinking iced lattes, and building Lego sets. She married her husband, Shaq, in 2017 and together they live in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of the North Side with their two children.
Zaina O’Leary
Worship Coordinator
Zaina was born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in Powder Springs, Georgia. She graduated from Bethel Atlanta School of Supernatural Ministry. After Graduating she directed worship for the school for five years. Zaina is a songwriter and has a heart for hearing what God is saying. Zaina married her husband, Nathan, in 2021. They welcomed their son, Joseph, into the world in 2022. Zaina and her family currently live in Washington, PA.
Lauren Farver
Kids Ministry Co-Director
Lauren grew up outside of Cleveland, OH and started following Jesus while in college. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014. During the week, Lauren works at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh serving medically complex children. She helped plant Garden City in 2021. Lauren is passionate about providing children of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to know and become like Jesus. Almost every morning you’ll find Lauren running through one of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. She married her husband, Ritchie, in 2024.