Bio
Gary grew up in the mid-west. After High School he attended Madison Area Technical College for 2 years. He then served in the U.S. Air Force as a Pararescueman for 5 years where he met and married Kim. After the Air Force both Gary and Kim attended and graduated from Fort Wayne Bible College. Later he earned a Master’s Degree in Christian Ministry, Emphasis in Church Planting and Church Growth from Simpson University, Redding, CA.
Gary has been a pastor in the Christian & Missionary Alliance since 1988. After pastoring in three different locations of Wyoming over a period of 17 years, including two church plants, Gary taught for two years at Crown College (Minnesota). Then for five years, Gary was the Church Planting Director and Assistant to the District Superintendent of the Rocky Mountain District of the C&MA in Billings, Montana. Gary next served an intentional interim position at the National Office of the C&MA in Colorado Springs as a Project Coordinator in the Church Ministries office. From 2013 through 2019 he served as the Lead Pastor at Plymouth Alliance Church, Plymouth, WI. For a summary of those 6+ years see below. For more information click on the "Resume" button to the right. |
References
"“Intentional interim ministry demands skill as well as character; discernment and wisdom, as well as the ability to lead through difficult circumstances. Congregations in transition need a steady, reassuring hand and Gary Burdick brings all these qualities to bear. If you are searching for thoughtful, Spirit-filled leadership to lead your congregation through uncertain times, you need look no further.”
Rev. Daniel R. Wetzel, Coordinating Alliance Transitional Ministry Network for the Office of Church Advance, Former Vice-President, Church Ministries C&MA
"Gary served as our interim pastor for 6 months and in that short time provided great leadership, wise counsel and focused direction in some very difficult situations we were facing as a church. He quickly recognized the root cause of our issues and walked us through workable solutions. He not only provided sound guidance, but also rolled up his sleeves and joined us in the work it took to resolve them. I’m thankful that God brought Gary and Kim to us in such a time as this. He leaves us healthier as church and properly prepared for our incoming new pastor."
Mike Hassinger, Elder - Kiel Alliance Church
"Pastor Gary and Kim were a blessing for the 6 months they were with us at Kiel Alliance Church. With his administrative background, he helped us to create an organizational chart and continued to shape our policies and procedures. He was great to work with and his examples and suggestions were extremely helpful. Kim was also always willing to help with whatever was needed. So glad God sent them our way in our time of transition."
Sara Rempel – Kiel Alliance Church Office Administrator
"Pastor Gary served as our interim pastor at Kiel Alliance Church in Kiel Wisconsin for six months in 2021-2022. Pastor Gary served our church during a season of transition from a retiring senior pastor to a visa-delayed incoming senior pastor; and a season in which the Elder/Governing Board was somewhat weary. Pastor Gary was a breath of fresh air! Gary brought a get-er-done attitude, and a much needed perspective that analysis paralysis is unacceptable because there is a lost and dying world out there that needs to be engaged and saved! Pastor Gary was very relational, was forthright in all communication but simultaneously sensitive to the hearer, and is an outstanding sermon communicator. If you or your church needs someone to challenge the status quo and remind you and/or your organization of what Jesus has called the Church to be; Pastor Gary Burdick is the interim pastor for you!"
Mark Stellpflug, Elder, Kiel Alliance Church
"Gary is a godly man who I am proud and blessed to have served the local church with for many years. He is gifted at uniquely bringing Scripture alive and applicable to the congregation. Gary is also adept at mentoring, growing and encouraging future leaders in the ministry. His training, experience and competence in Peacemaker ministries would be invaluable for a church that has needs in this area. In addition, Gary’s adventurous lifestyle makes him fun to be around. I loved my time serving with Gary!"
Steve Laack, Former Elder, Plymouth Alliance
“Gary intentionally develops those he works with and is always seeking to raise up new leaders. He took me on as a brand-new pastor and mentored me consistently for 4.5 years before sending my family and me overseas. While keeping a global perspective, Gary desires the church to have a lasting, kingdom-impact in its local community.”
Don Schaeffer, Former Associate Pastor, Plymouth Alliance
"Gary’s steady and humble leadership led us to a place of restoration, allowing us to see and experience an incredibly healthy model of ministry. He is not afraid to speak truth into a situation, yet always does so in love and gentleness. Gary and Kim’s ministry in our lives was transformational to say the least!"
Trevor and Sarah Schuh, Former Staff Members, Plymouth Alliance
Rev. Daniel R. Wetzel, Coordinating Alliance Transitional Ministry Network for the Office of Church Advance, Former Vice-President, Church Ministries C&MA
"Gary served as our interim pastor for 6 months and in that short time provided great leadership, wise counsel and focused direction in some very difficult situations we were facing as a church. He quickly recognized the root cause of our issues and walked us through workable solutions. He not only provided sound guidance, but also rolled up his sleeves and joined us in the work it took to resolve them. I’m thankful that God brought Gary and Kim to us in such a time as this. He leaves us healthier as church and properly prepared for our incoming new pastor."
Mike Hassinger, Elder - Kiel Alliance Church
"Pastor Gary and Kim were a blessing for the 6 months they were with us at Kiel Alliance Church. With his administrative background, he helped us to create an organizational chart and continued to shape our policies and procedures. He was great to work with and his examples and suggestions were extremely helpful. Kim was also always willing to help with whatever was needed. So glad God sent them our way in our time of transition."
Sara Rempel – Kiel Alliance Church Office Administrator
"Pastor Gary served as our interim pastor at Kiel Alliance Church in Kiel Wisconsin for six months in 2021-2022. Pastor Gary served our church during a season of transition from a retiring senior pastor to a visa-delayed incoming senior pastor; and a season in which the Elder/Governing Board was somewhat weary. Pastor Gary was a breath of fresh air! Gary brought a get-er-done attitude, and a much needed perspective that analysis paralysis is unacceptable because there is a lost and dying world out there that needs to be engaged and saved! Pastor Gary was very relational, was forthright in all communication but simultaneously sensitive to the hearer, and is an outstanding sermon communicator. If you or your church needs someone to challenge the status quo and remind you and/or your organization of what Jesus has called the Church to be; Pastor Gary Burdick is the interim pastor for you!"
Mark Stellpflug, Elder, Kiel Alliance Church
"Gary is a godly man who I am proud and blessed to have served the local church with for many years. He is gifted at uniquely bringing Scripture alive and applicable to the congregation. Gary is also adept at mentoring, growing and encouraging future leaders in the ministry. His training, experience and competence in Peacemaker ministries would be invaluable for a church that has needs in this area. In addition, Gary’s adventurous lifestyle makes him fun to be around. I loved my time serving with Gary!"
Steve Laack, Former Elder, Plymouth Alliance
“Gary intentionally develops those he works with and is always seeking to raise up new leaders. He took me on as a brand-new pastor and mentored me consistently for 4.5 years before sending my family and me overseas. While keeping a global perspective, Gary desires the church to have a lasting, kingdom-impact in its local community.”
Don Schaeffer, Former Associate Pastor, Plymouth Alliance
"Gary’s steady and humble leadership led us to a place of restoration, allowing us to see and experience an incredibly healthy model of ministry. He is not afraid to speak truth into a situation, yet always does so in love and gentleness. Gary and Kim’s ministry in our lives was transformational to say the least!"
Trevor and Sarah Schuh, Former Staff Members, Plymouth Alliance
Interim Ministry History
- Onamia Alliance Church, Onamia Minnesota June to August 2021. Intentional Short-term assessment of this congregation.
- Kiel Alliance Church, Kiel, Wisconsin December 2021 to June, 2022. This interim was an intentional transition to an already called Senior Pastor.
- Journey Church, Conway, NH October to December 2022. Facilitated transition while the already called Senior Pastor took a ministry Sabbatical.
Plymouth Alliance Church Summary
Below is a summary of the growth and impact at Plymouth Alliance Church during my tenure.
- Plymouth Alliance has always been a strong 'sending church.' But the International Worker team increased from 6 to 10 units involved in missions. Eight of those with the C&MA.
- Giving to Missions increased from $109,000 to $194,000.
- Over $400,000 in facility improvements were accomplished - debt free.
- The church continued in a position of financial strength with almost $400k reserves.
- Organizational structures and ministries were greatly reduced and simplified.
- Overseeing and training staff was a delight. While there was a lot of turnover for mostly good reasons, the staff was a great team and a tremendous blessing to me and the church.
- Average attendance went from 251 to 263. The average age of the congregation was dramatically reduced.
- Average number of babies in the nursery went from 2 to 12.
- 47 people accepted Christ.
- 54 were people baptized.