Meet Reverend Gary

The Star-Forged Path: From Global Communications to Universal Minister 

Forged in the Appalachian foothills and shaped by a professional life that spanned executive offices and boardrooms across forty United States and five continents, my journey has been a tapestry of diverse experiences. Throughout these travels, one truth became unmistakably clear. 

The bonds that unite us are far stronger than anything that separates us. We all seek safety, comfort, connection, and love.

My spiritual path did not emerge from a single tradition. It grew slowly and personally, beginning in a home where church attendance was occasional and deepening over time through curiosity, study, and lived experience. As I explored the great world religions, I noticed striking similarities that suggested a common origin.

 Foundational stories and shared prophets across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ethical teachings echoed in Buddhism and Hinduism. These consistencies pointed toward a universal source of inspiration.

Science offered its own wisdom. The opening verses of Genesis spoke of the void, the Spirit, and the arrival of light. These ancient words resonated with the scientific understanding of the Big Bang, a singular spark that brought forth light and the expanding universe. The teaching that humanity was created from the earth aligned with the scientific journey of life emerging from simple building blocks. The conservation of matter, the idea that nothing is created or destroyed but transformed, illuminated a profound spiritual insight.

 We are made of the same energy and matter as that original creation. A piece of that first light lives in each of us. We are, in every sense, children of the stars.

My studies in theology and philosophy at the University of Florida and Hillsdale College continued to shape my understanding of spirituality as a unifying force. Organizations such as the Universal Life Church and Unity reinforced a message that has guided my work. Every person carries divine light. Every person deserves love and grace.

In 2002, I was ordained through the Universal Life Church, which embraces the sacred worth of all people and all paths. In 2016, I received a Doctor of Divinity in recognition of my dedication to spiritual leadership and to honoring the many ways people seek meaning. My executive career gave me the privilege of working with people of countless backgrounds and beliefs and deepened my respect for every individual’s lived truth.

Today, I bring this blending of personal experience, study, and spiritual understanding to my work as a storyteller and officiant. I create ceremonies that are crafted with intention and shaped with compassion, whether they honor a beginning, a farewell, or a meaningful milestone. I believe a ceremony is a living reflection of the journey we have walked, the bonds we have formed, and the transformation still ahead. 

My purpose is to design experiences that are deeply personal, comforting, and memorable, trusting that the guiding presence of the Star Forged Spirit is always near when we choose to listen.