Friends Of The Garden Board Members

President – Stephen Bridge

Stephen lives in Frinton-on-Sea a coastal town in the East of England. He trained as a boat builder and ran a joinery business before becoming a church planter, and involved in the leadership of churches in the Essex area and later in South East London. He is married to Sue and they have two sons and a daughter, three granddaughters and a grandson. He has a long connection with the Garden as his father, Donald was the Director in the 1980s, and both he and Sue have served as volunteers and on staff in Jerusalem. He served as Director of the Garden for many years until his retirement in 2022. His heart is very much for evangelism and equipping Christians for discipleship. Stephen became Chairman in April 2026 along with his duties as Chair, He spends his time teaching and preaching.

Treasurer – Dennis Braner

Dennis and his wife Sharon first visited Israel in 2006 and became volunteers at the Garden Tomb in 2018. Dennis retired in 2020 after spending fifty years in the Aerospace Industry. He and Sharon were both active in Bible Study Fellowship International for over twenty years. They feel very fortunate to be able to serve at the Garden Tomb and witness the world coming to a place to Worship the risen Lord.

Dennis and Sharon have been married for 49 years, have two grown sons and nine grandchildren. They live in Frisco, Texas and are active members of Stonebriar Community Church.

Secretary – Bob Maddox

Bob Maddox and his wife Brenda served as a pastor and pastor’s wife for 34 years. They have served in state and national church leadership for twelve of those 34 years. For 3½ years Bob has provided oversight to an accredited institution of higher education. His writings were first published in various Christian periodicals in 1982 and Bob’s first book was published in 2012.  Bob has published eleven books.

Bob and Brenda hosted their first of three Israel Tours in 1997. They continue to visit the country regularly exploring various Biblical sites. Bob first served as a volunteer at the Garden Tomb in 2017. He considers time at the Garden Tomb as a very significant part of anyone’s visit to the Holy Land.

Bob and Brenda have been married for over 50 years. They have four children and nine grandchildren. They reside in Ozark, Missouri.

Kieran Ryan

Kieran Ryan is a retired Army Officer (Irish Defence Forces) who has served in senior staff appointments both in Ireland and overseas in the Middle East region. He came to personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ while serving as a junior officer and was actively associated with the Association of Military Christian Fellowship (AMCF) during his 35 year career. He is an MA graduate, in Applied Theology, from the Irish Bible Institute, Dublin and has held many leadership positions in Independent Bible Churches and Youth ministries for over thirty years in Ireland.

He and his wife Laura, lives in Kilkenny city. They have one son Steve, who lives in London with his wife Fiona. He has been serving in the Garden Tomb since 2011 and as Deputy Director from 2017 to 2019. He is delighted to be back on the Board.

Charles Hoare

Sir Charles Hoare is a British Baronet whose family was among some of the notable evangelicals making a difference in Britain and overseas 200 years ago.

He is related to Louisa Hope, one of the main people behind the establishment of the Garden Tomb as a Christian pilgrimage site in 1894. He has been a regular visitor to the Land and the Garden over the years and believes it represents one of the most significant opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ in Israel.

Sir Charles was a political intern in the early1990s, and says that really changed his perspective on Christian engagement and what it means to serve the Lord Jesus in his generation. After university he helped set up a number of charities and now works as a consultant in the voluntary sector. He is married to Eleanor and they have three children.