The childhood of Gary Strickland was so steeped in church life that he once preached to his neighborhood from his front yard. Using a child-sized ironing board as his pulpit, he boldly proclaimed the good news to anyone who would listen.

In many ways, Gary’s spiritual journey was defined by his family. His maternal grandfather was a Baptist pastor and his first model for vocational ministry and his grandmother was the embodiment of saintly living. That same heritage was very much alive in his parents as they lived out their faith personally and publicly. Although he started preaching as a young child, Gary didn’t feel the call to ministry or the desire to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps until high school.

After living out his calling for 28 years in a church setting, Gary relocated from Mauldin, South Carolina, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in July 2007 to pursue his passion for teaching. Looking back on his wide variety of practical experience and educational opportunities, Gary believes God was preparing him for this passion. Now, as the Professor of Pastoral Care, he shares what he learned as a pastor with others who are in training for pastoral ministry.