At the age of sixteen Gary
experienced a radical encounter with Christ which led to a call to preach soon
afterwards. The night he received Christ at an old-fashioned Baptist tent
revival meeting, his intent was only to be with his high school sweetheart,
Jane Thompson. Gary and Jane, both from
Thomasville, were married two years later. They will celebrate 55 years of
marriage this year (2022). In more than five decades of ministry together, they
have served nine churches in Alabama Florida, and Georgia
They are the proud parents of three children and grandparents of eight grandchildren.
Gary holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida), a Master’s degree from FSU (Department of Religion - Tallahassee, FL), and an earned Doctorate of Ministry degree from Northeastern Seminary (Rochester, NY). He was ordained in 1973 as an Assemblies of God pastor. He transferred into The United Methodist Church in 2000.
Aside from his fulfilling ministry, Gary has been an avid runner for over 40 years and only most recently slowed his gait to a brisk walk. He loves being with his family and enjoys hunting, shooting firearms, and fishing.