A Life of Service: From the Badge to the Bible
- Dr. Daniel Gilbert
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
Tuesday, March 17
7:00 am
Dr Daniel & Mary Beth Gilbert
I remember when Gary first sat in my (Daniel’s) theology class at King’s Seminary back in 2005
Even then, he was a man who understood the weight of responsibility and the necessity of being grounded in the Truth.
It has been nearly twenty years since those early days in California, and as Mary Beth and I look back on our journey with Gary, we are struck by how God weaves lives together through shared values and a mutual love for the Word.
A Student Who Became a Friend
When we first met Gary Grubbs, he was balancing a graduate certificate with his career in law enforcement. As a retired cop, Gary has always had a “protector’s heart”—but through our time at King’s, we watched that heart expand into a deep calling for ministry.
Gary wasn’t just a student; he became a friend.
We remember him coming over for Christmas gatherings when our daughter, Maria, was just a little girl. We even discovered years later that we shared the same financial advisor! It’s those small, providential connections that remind us how big God’s family truly is.
Gary took three of my classes that first year—theology, early church history, and modern church history. And from the very beginning, I could see something in him: a hunger for the Word and a commitment to getting it right.
“The Bible does not lie,” Gary often says. “You have to know the Word of God and the Spirit of God to direct you correctly. You can’t get away from that.”
That conviction has never wavered.
The Chaplain’s Heart
After retiring from the force, Gary didn’t slow down. He stepped into chaplaincy, eventually serving as the U.S. Operations Chief for Foursquare Disaster Relief. He took the same discipline he used on the streets of California and applied it to bringing hope to people in their darkest hours.
In 2013, Gary and his wife moved to Tennessee, but our connection remained strong. Even as he transitioned out of formal denominational roles, his ministry never stopped.
Today, he serves as an armed guard for a Christian school two days a week—a vital role he took on following the tragic Covenant shooting. It is a powerful picture of his life’s work: standing in the gap to protect the vulnerable, both physically and spiritually.
“That’s kind of my ministry right now,” Gary says with characteristic humility.
But we see it for what it truly is: a man who has never stopped serving.
Why Gary Stands With EmPowered Living
One thing we value most about Gary is his unwavering commitment to the “Word and the Spirit.” He understands that you cannot have one without the other—and that both must be central to any ministry that will last.
Gary supports EmPowered Living because he shares our passion for training pastors globally. He understands that in places like Kenya and Nigeria, pastors are often bombarded by “internet theology” and cultural heresies. He knows that for a church to be healthy, its leaders must be able to discern the truth and stay grounded in sound doctrine.
“They might get the Bible,” Gary explains, “but they don’t really get to understand the truth, and they can’t discern it. They need to be grounded in proper teaching—and that’s what Dr. Gilbert does.”
He continues: “He’s teaching the pastors to be pastors so they can fight all the heresies. He keeps them grounded and makes sure they know the truth of the Word.”
As Gary puts it simply: “You have to know the Word of God and the Spirit of God to direct you correctly. You can’t get away from that.”
A Man Who Finishes Well
One of the highest compliments Gary has given us is this: “Find somebody that’s going to not just start well, but finish well. And from what I know—I’ve known him for years—he’s going to finish well.”
Gary, we could say the same about you.
From the classroom in 2005 to the mission fields of today, you have been a steadfast champion for the Word of God.
You have protected communities as a police officer.
You have comforted the hurting as a chaplain.
You have stood guard over children as a protector.
And through it all, you have never wavered in your commitment to Christ.
We are so grateful for your years of friendship, your service to the community, and your heart for the global Church. You have always been a man who doesn’t just start well—but finishes well.
Thank you for standing with us as we equip leaders to fight for the truth of the Gospel. We are honored to have you in our corner.
Gary Grubbs is a retired law enforcement officer, former U.S. Operations Chief for Foursquare Disaster Relief, and longtime friend and supporter of EmPowered Living International Ministries.
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