Ethnicity:
My father is of Scot Irish descent. My mother is of Scot-English descent.
Gary was born in 1947 and grew up in Texas, experiencing the brutal society of the Jim Crow South and its racist churches.
A.A., Bible, Ft. Worth Christian College, 1967.
B.A., Bible, Abilene Christian College, 1969.
Seminary Studies, Brite Divinity School, 1972-1974.
Graduate Study in Health Care Administration, National University of San Diego, 1976-1978.
M.S. Career Development in Health Care and Psychology, ACU Grad School, 1980.
M.Div., Earlham School of Religion, 1983.
R.N. Diploma, 1990, Bakersfield College.
In August of 1964, I became a Christian. I was saved by the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ. I began Bible College in 1965, studied the Bible and spoke out against racism in the Church of Christ. In 1967, I became a Christian pacifist, as I believed it was a sin to take a human life for any reason. From 1967 to 1969, I spoke out against both war and racism in the Church of Christ. I was ordained a minister in the Church of Christ (Non-Sunday School) in 1969 and moved to Colorado to preach and serve as a minister. After a profound negative spiritual experience. I began seeking the Holy Spirit and preaching against the War In Vietnam. On 1 March 1970, I resigned from the ministry to perform 2 years of Alternative Service as a Conscientious Objector. This service was completed in 1972. From 1972-1974, I worked as a truck driver, laborer, and pizza cook while attending Seminary at Brite Divinity School (Disciples of Christ).
From 1974 to 1978, I served in the US Navy as a Corpsman. I was trained as a medic and worked in Intensive Care, Cardiopulmonary Lab, Medical Lab, and the Histology Lab. In 1978, I received an honorable discharge from the US Navy and worked 2 years a lab tech. I moved to Indiana to complete my M.Div. degree at Earlham School of Religion. I was a Quaker from 1978 to 1995.
In 1987 I received my LPN Nurse license and studied for my RN License. I received my RN license in 1991. Since 1991, I have worked as a Registered Nurse, mostly in Home Health as an Infusion R.N. I retired from full-time work in 1992 and have worked part-time since then.
During the time since the Navy, I have been a Friends Church Pastor, House Church minister, and preached at a small Mennonite Church in Virginia and for a community church.
I became a follower of Christ in 1964 while attending a Baptist Church. I joined the Church of Christ in 1965 and was with that church till 1971. Since 1971, I have attended various house churches, Friends Church, the Mennonite Church, and community churches. At this time. I do not attend any church on a regular basis, but am still a follower of Jesus Christ and a Christian Pacifist.
I am a Pro-Life Liberal Democrat in the United States. I am for a living wage, Medicare for all or Universal Healthcare, and free education.
I am a citizen of the US, but not a nationalist or "America First" isolationist. I am a believer that all people have a God given right to food, shelter, jobs and healthcare.
Quotations: "When Christ calls a person, He bids him or her to come and die."- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
I am a pacifist and will not take human life for any reason. I am a healer and will heal rather than kill. I recognize God as the ultimate Healer.
Physical Characteristics: When younger I was 6 foot tall and had red hair. That was a long time ago.
I am married to my wife of almost 38 years-Faith Elizabeth Cummings.
