Gary has pastored for 23 years in Youngstown, Ohio and Brooklyn, New York serving respectively at Rising Star Baptist Church and Evergreen Baptist Church. Upon graduating from Mount Union College with a degree in Psychology he became coordinator of the crisis intervention department of the Child and Adult Mental Health Center in Youngstown. After obtaining his seminary degree in Pastoral Psychology from Ashland Theological Seminary he specialized as a pastoral counselor in Youngstown. Gary is also a graduate of Central Bible College of Cleveland, Ohio.

Gary served 8 years on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee as well as two terms as Second Vice President of that denomination. He has twice served as a vice president at the North American Mission Board (SBC) in Alpharetta, Georgia under two administrations. Gary was called to serve in New York City as executive director of the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association working with over 200 churches. While in New York he also served as president of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York. He has served as National Facilitator for Prayer with the Mission America Coalition and currently is serving as Director of Missions for the Steel Valley Baptist Association in Ohio. In addition, he serves as National Director for March For Jesus, USA.

Gary and his wife Lynette have been married 46 years. They have 6 children, 6 grandchildren and have served as foster parents for more than 40 children. Gary and Lynette are the co-founders of a ministry to homeless and home-challenged pregnant women known as Eagle’s Nest Life Equipping Center in Youngstown, Ohio.