Pastor Gary graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and received his Master of Divinity Degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1979. He began his ministry as Associate Pastor at North Community Lutheran in Columbus, Ohio, and served there for five years. Gary served as Pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran, Chagrin Falls, Ohio from 1984-1997, before coming to Good Shepherd in July of 1997 as Staff Pastor. In June of 1998, Gary was called by Good Shepherd to serve as Senior Pastor. He and his wife, Shay, have two boys, Bobby and Nathan.