Pastor Gary
is a graduate of St. Clairsville-Richland High School, St.Clairsville, Ohio; Olympic College, Bremerton, Washington, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, and Fuller Theological Seminary, 2005, Pasadena, California.
Prior to coming to West Seattle Baptist Church in 2000 Gary and Beverly were members of Belfair Community Baptist Church, Belfair, Washington. They held various laity positions during their nearly 30 years of membership in that congregation.
Pastor Gary and his wife Beverly were married on April 8, 1967 and have two adult children Lauri Anne (1968) and Thomas Andrew (1971).
Prior to entering the ministry Pastor Gary served nearly 7 1/2 years of active duty with the United States Navy and another 29 years as a civilian employee with the Navy. He retired in May 2002 after 36 years 7 months of combined service. During his Department of Defense career his major duties were 13 years as a Chemistry Instructor in the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion Program, and 12 years as a Financial Controller for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington overseeing the funding and planning for the decommissioning, dismantlement and disposal of the Navy's Nuclear Cruisers and Submarines.
Philosophy of Ministry:"I believe that the pastor is called by God to be an under-shepherd to the great Shepherd who is Jesus Christ. It is my conviction that the central focus of ministry is based on Ephesians 4:12, where Paul exhorts pastors "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." I believe it is the pastor's duty of position to preach, teach, and communicate God's word, to provide spiritual leadership, to equip God's people for service, and to reach out to the lost and hurting people of the community at large."
Doctrinal Statement:"My Faith, personal life, and ministry are founded on the belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Since the Bible contains no errors, it is my sole source for truth. It is my belief that the individual and Christ have a personal relationship. I am committed to the study of Scripture and to God's call for obedience to His Word and His teachings. I attempt to emulate Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" in all of my daily life."
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