Pastoral Staff - Gary Dozier

Gary Dozier
Senior Associate Pastor

Gary joined the staff at Southwest Bible Church in August 2008. He serves as a senior associate pastor with an emphasis on evangelism.

"God is lovingly, patiently and relentlessly pursuing people," says Gary. "I desire to be used significantly by God to help lead His people into a greater love for Jesus Christ and lead others into saving faith in Jesus Christ."

Gary grew up in a family that daily nurtured him in God's Word. With his parents’ support and prayers, he responded to God's free gift of salvation when he was a senior in high school. Even then, God instilled in Gary's heart a longing to share the gospel.

In 1987, a pastoral staff position opened in Columbia, Louisiana, and Gary began serving in youth ministry while he continued to work on and complete his BA in Business Administration. Later, Gary moved to Memphis to begin seminary training, which emphasized evangelism and missions. Gary met his future wife, Paige, while at seminary. The couple married in 1991 and moved to Rockford, Illinois, to help a friend plant a church. Gary continued his seminary training at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School while in Rockford and received his Masters of Divinity.

After seminary, Gary planted another church and then moved to Tennessee to serve in a senior pastor role.

"It was during this time that God continued to grow a passion for evangelism in my heart," says Gary.

While pastoring in Tennessee, Gary began doctoral studies in expository preaching at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. A visiting teacher, Alistair Begg, invited Gary to join his pastoral team and, in lieu of finishing his doctoral degree at that time, Gary joined the staff of Parkside Church.

"The experience of working with this Christ-centered and Word-focused team was invaluable to me as a pastor," says Gary.

In 2004, Gary came to Hinson Church in Portland, Oregon, where he served as senior pastor prior to joining Southwest.

Gary and Paige have three children, Caleb, Makayla and Grace, and live in the Beaverton area.

Click here to send Gary an e-mail.