Gary – “We Were Living in a Fantasy Land”
In anticipation of the release of “Lost & Found: Finding Myself by Getting Lost in an Affair“, I’ve reached out to my readers to share their stories of infidelity. My hope is that you’ll be challenged by their experiences and invest in your own relationship even more. It’s easy to believe that the affair will provide the high or comfort that you’ve been longing for, but it rarely (if ever) lives up to such expectations.
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Gary – “We Were Living in a Fantasy Land”
- Were you married or dating when you became interested in someone else? How long? Kids? Yes, I was married. I had been married 12 years when I started having an emotional affair that led to a physical affair with my personal assistant. I have/had two children from my marriage.
- Tell us about the condition of your heart and your frame of mind when you initiated the connection with someone else.
Believe it or not, I was a pastor of a large, growing church and my heart couldn’t have been farther from God. I was beyond burnout mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I was running on adrenaline, energy drinks and ego. I had neglected my personal relationship with God, my marriage, my health, and the Sabbath for years and as a result I was was operating in my own power. I thought the world revolved around me.
Because I thought the world revolved around me, I thought my marriage was supposed to revolve around me. Needless to say, after years of neglecting my role as a Godly husband my wife had zero respect, desire and passion for me. Instead of seeing I was to blame for the condition of my marriage, I started looking for affirmation from other women. It started with me simply “checking” other women out, that moved to fantasizing about what life would be like with other women, and ultimately led to me finding affirmation in another woman who was also looking for the same things. - Did the affair live up to your expectations? Why or why not?
Yes and no. Honestly, it was the most alive I had felt in years. The Bible says there is pleasure in sin….for a season. I was running on emotion. There was a rush to having a woman who affirmed me, was attractive, who was very sexual, and seemed to be everything I thought I was missing in my marriage.
The reality is though we were living in a fantasy land. Everything is great when you are running on emotion and don’t really know the person you are in an affair with all that well. Because you don’t know them that well, you can make them whatever you want them to be.I am now married to the “other woman” and while I couldn’t be happier, the fantasy world is over. The emotion of when we started is over and love has moved from an emotion to a verb. The expectation of a “Soul Mate” who you live in perfect harmony with is over. Marriage is work and I understand now that it is worth every ounce of the work.
- How did the affair impact your life – both during and after the relationship?
In one aspect the affair destroyed my life. In another aspect, it changed me in ways I never could have changed.I ruined the life my wife and my children had come to know. I ruined the life of Elena’s (the person I was having an affair with) husband. I lost my job at the church I started. I lost almost every friend I had. My personal life was posted all over the internet and because of the power of the internet, everyone with a computer was able to give their opinion. I hurt people who had put their trust in me. I went through some of the darkest days of my life. I literally felt I was dropped off at the gates of hell and told to crawl back. I have no one to blame but myself, but it impacted my life by totally turning it upside down.
On the other hand, God has done amazing things in my life since the affair happened. I’m a better husband than I ever was, I’m a better father than I ever was, I understand the importance of balance, and most importantly, my relationship with Jesus isn’t about my deeds and how much work I can do for Him. I truly understand Christ’s love and His plan for me like never before.
I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
- Did you reconcile with the person you cheated on? If not, why not?
If so, how did the reconciliation come about?
No. My marriage had been over for years and this was the nail in the coffin. The truth is I also didn’t work to allow there to be reconciliation. After the affair, I was sorry for what I did but I also felt justified because of how my marriage was. Instead of trying to win my wife back, I continued on letting everything be about me. - What did you learn from the experience?
I’ve learned more than I could ever put here. The top four things I have learned are:- I can’t earn God’s love. I thought if I could grow a big enough church, led enough people into a relationship with Him, etc. that I was impressing God. I wasn’t. When I finally became broken and realized that God truly loves me because of nothing more than Grace, my life began to be changed.
- Marriage is work. After my marriage ended, I married Elena (the lady I was having an affair with) and as much as I love her, adore her, and want to spend the rest of my life with her; that will not keep us married. Marriage is work and it is about serving her with everything that is in me. I’m embarrassed that it took a second marriage for me to figure this out. Elena and I have talked about it many times and we both agree that if we had worked at our first marriages like we have our current marriage, we would still be in our first marriages. However, we can’t go back and change that so we work and serve in our marriage to each other.
- I learned the meaning of true friendship. It is amazing how quickly the people around me changed. People I thought would be there for me forever are not even in my life anymore. I was never looking for anyone to approve of my decisions but I was still looking for people to accept me as their friends. God has put some incredible people around me in the last year and I understand friendship better than ever.
- The call of God is unchanging. I have the honor of now planting another church and while many people disagree, I know the calling of God on my life. There will be consequences for my actions for the rest of my life but the call of God has not changed. No matter how bad you screw up, God will and can still use you.
Gary – thank you for your courage in sharing your story.
What stands out in his experience? And, what can you learn from his situation?
Gary, as an interested party, being one of those who believed in your ministry and church. What stands out here to me is that you have started another church in the same town that the original church is in. This speaks volumes to me. You also chose to listen to only those people who affirmed your decisions, and removed yourself from any type of rebuke from your former "friends". It is easy to be friends with people who don't hold you accountable for anything.
I still attend the "former church" and it has grown and is much stronger and more faithful today than ever. This is also the first time I have ever commented on Gary and the affair, either publicly or privately.
God is a God of forgiveness, but that does not mean that you should be restored or able to hold a position of esteem within the Christian community. Maybe over time? I hope that you truly find God's forgiveness. I hold no malice toward you, but also don't withhold comment when important information is missing from the dialog. You should have give the timeline of your starting a new church (about 1 year or less) and that it was in the same town if you wanted your comments to be taken seriously.
Randy, as an interested party and dear friend of Gary's I would like to comment that you do not know what you are REALLY talking about. Yes, Gary started a church in the same town as his previous church, but this is only because Gary could not ignore God's calling on his life. Gary had many people around him, my husband and I personally…among others, that are his accountability partners. Gary is no longer surrounded by "yes men." Therefore, when Gary approached his accountability partners with God's calling and timing on the church…he recieved truthful opinions, genuwine concerns, and guidance from those around him. Gary stared "rebuke" right in the face and faced all sides.I respectfully disagree that you can judge that an individual shouldn't " be restored or able tto hold a position of esteem within the christian community."
In regard to timing…Gary does not operate on "Gary's timing" any longer, he obeys God's timing. This is not a matter of previous church vs. new church. The main focus is God and God's work in all churches. God uses messed up and flawed people…WE ALL have a purpose. Whatever the "size" of the mistake, God's purpose does not diminsih with the sin.
I know Gary, not a good friend, but I know him and have watched him go through this entire experience. He knows how I feel about what happened, and frankly, we are not in disagreement. Sin is sin, and Gary has acknowledged it, and is striving to move on. There are many opinions about whether he is permanently disqualified from ministry, but David was a murderer as well as an adulterer, and God DID discipline him thoroughly, taking his child, and later on, his kingdom for a time. But God ultimately let David finish out his life as the king of Israel. Ultimately, Gary answers to God about Gary. Gary must weigh the scripture's counsel with the counsel of his friends and mentors. I wish him nothing but good fortune and peace through all this. And I pray he never forgets the pain. Pain is not always a bad thing.
HI Randy – thanks for sharing your perspective. It sounds like the fact that Gary is starting a new church in the same town within the current time frame is concerning to you. I can see why that may cause you anxiety and even grief.
Although I'm not completely familiar with all the details of Gary's situation, I'm not sure there is a Scriptural or historical guideline on the timing or proximity of someone's ministry after leaving another church under his circumstances. There are clues to the person's heart condition based on the decisions they make, but there doesn't seem to be a handbook for these situations. (i.e., 2 years and 20 miles) I'm thinking that if transformation is taking place in Gary's life, there will be fruit in his character which can be seen in his role as a husband, father, friend, and leader over time. Thankfully, it is God's responsibility to transform Gary's life and ultimately judge the fruitfulness of Gary's ministry. I'm praying for the amazing success of both churches and all families involved.
I am still trying to find a Biblical justification for Gary's returning to the role of 'pastor'? Within a few short months of his affair he was planning his return.
The foremost requirement of a church leader is that he be above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2, 10; Titus 1:7). While I do believe in restoration to the fellowship of the church I do not believe Gary is to be restored to a pastor role. He can, and should, SERVE in a church but not as a pastor.
Hey Jdavidtrotter…please don't misunderstand me. I wish Gary great success in the future…I just don't know how you can leave out such important information from a story and expect for no-one to notice. If wishing to glorify appropriately, then full disclosure should be of utmost importance…less than full disclosure is just deceitful. Want to regain respect, then ensure that full disclosure is part of all you do. Just sayin'
I used to attend the church that Gary started and I have to say that the experience brought me closer to God than anything else I have encountered. ( I'm a PK ) Yes, it hurt to see what happened. Yes I was crushed as I watched a man who I looked up to fall. Gary did do really good things for people who didn't deserve it. But none of that matters, Ultimately God will decide what matters. My job here on this ball of dirt is to live the best that I can and forgive like Christ would want me too. My marriage is better now for having known Gary.( ironic huh?) If you cant find it in your heart to forgive others remember that you will be held to the same standard in the end.
We can all debate back and forth weather or not Gary has repented and if he "deserves" to start a new church….the fat of the matter is only Gary and God truely know. I know Gary very well and I can tell you what I see, he IS in fact a changed man. His heart changed through all of this. Weather you like him or not, weather you think he is right or not for starting a new church and marrying the woman he did… God still uses him and I am thankful for that. He is still helping the lost find Jesus, that is where his heart is and his focus. It really does not matter who approves or disapproves…God can and does still use Gary Lamb!
Everyone needs to keep in perspective that Gary is but a man. The focus and worship belong to God. Forgiveness and grace are the key components of his testimony. The sincerity of his words is between him and God. The God we serve is very much in the business of redemption and restoration. IE: Paul who inargubaly made the most impact in the early church, who also persecuted and murdered many believers. Gary made mistakes. Gary asked God (his only judge) for forgiveness. Consequences exist but there is no condemnation in Christ. Brethren stop making people personal and make Christ more personal. Then you can live in total freedom and growth.
I am finding in this day and age that honestly it is those Pastor's that have fallen publicly and have either returned or are returning to the Pastorate that might just be in a far better position to relate to those of us that have made mistakes and make many mistakes each and every day. What I see in the churches today is that many of the people and Pastors are putting on their masks and are too afraid to deal with the real stuff that is happening and as a result by not dealing with it many people are falling away or falling in to sin. Who are we to judge or to put limitations on how God is going to use Gary. I stand here a sinner forgiven by the same grace.
I believe God has more compassion, forgiveness and a sence of solice – it is no ones job to stand in judgement and criticize anyones chioces or mistakes – only Gods, it is our job to love, support and help those who fall get back up again, but I think to many forget that! Anyone who has talked with, listen to or reads Gary's blog can see a change in a man who choice cost him so much, who fell so far and really just needs to be picked up again because God has everything else covered.
As someone who didn't attend church for many years and found no peace in that place – I did when I heard Gary speak, I didn't return to a service again until I found Gary was teaching again – I thank God everyday for allowing me to find someone who make me feel comfortble in a "church" community and the unbelievable people who celabrate Jesus with me and my family everyday!!!! Who better to reach out to those who need know a life with Chist then those who have been down and can show what Jesus has done for them instead of those who stand up on there bible never really knowing those they are called to teach! I leave you with this… If you can't say anything nice, dont say anything at all, there are people out there who truely need and benifit from Gary's courage to start this church, if you don't agree just live your life for you and may God bless you and keep you in his grace always, if you need a great place to learn more and find people who are there to listen, love and support you, stop by sometime – we're here for you!!!!
I too am a regular at the other church and was very shocked by what happened but we are all human and we all make mistakes. Its not up to us to Judge Gary and how in the world can you expect to be forgiven if you cant even forgive someone yourself?? How about a prayer for that person, Gary never asked anyone to put him on a pedestal to live like most of us did and who knows, could we have handled that pressure??. Church should be about the people and worshiping God, not about just the pastor. We are all to quick to switch churches because our pastor left. As for as should Gary be able to lead another Church??, If I go to rehab, I want an ex addictt teaching me, so wouldnt a forgiven sinner be a great person for God to use to reach us. I also will have to give a lot of credit to Gary for where I am with God today, his services really awakened me and brought me back to life after years of not really worshipping at all. Thanks Gary for all you did and best of luck in all that you do.
Gary said, "After my marriage ended, I married Elena (the lady I was having an affair with) and as much as I love her, adore her, and want to spend the rest of my life with her; that will not keep us married."
I don't understand this statement. After his marriage ended he met the women he was having an affair with??? I think he means, "after I emotionally checked out of my marriage, neglected to tell my wife that I didn't consider myself married, I took up with another women who admired my cheating ways and is still with me." Okay, that last bit is snarky on my part. But when I found out my husband was having an affair, that was what he said to justify his actions too, he thought our marriage was already over. But somehow I didn't know that and he neglected to inform me.
It's a mean trick rationalizing your behavior like that, and more hurtful than the transgresser assumes. Gary may have done a lot of hard work to be a better person, but believe me, the person who was cheated on has a much tougher row to hoe to regain trust in people. It's been 3 years and I'm still suspicious of everyone's motives and assume everyone is lying to me. Still married too. Still trying to love my husband. Not always succeeding, but still trying.
HI Annoyed – The recovery process is so difficult, isn't it? I haven't personally gone through it since I was the one who strayed in my marriage, but I've watched my wife go through it. So many flashbacks, triggers, and painful situations. I know it is so challenging to walk through. Congrats on your intention to love your husband. May grace and hope flood into your life.
Just to be clarify, Gary doesn't say that he "met" Elena after his marriage ended. He says that he "married Elena" after his marriage ended.
I don't understand how he thinks he can pastor or shephard a flock to grow closer to God when he still has severe issues of unforgiveness in his heart. I have read his twitter posts for the past year and if he feels his ego has undergone a reality check, I sure hope he is prepared to face another fall. Go back and read his own words and you tell me. As for this being a mistake, I say no because he made a conscience effort to plan and execute his affair all the while manipulating people who trusted his leadership. BTW, Paul did kill Christians but not while he was a Christian so folks please don't use him as an example.
Gary is a powerful speaker who deceived a lot of people for years which finally culminated into an affair so how can anyone take him for what he is saying now? Sometimes, consequences are more severe than we want to accept but God doesn't tolerate sin and he surely doesn't use a unrepentant heart. His actions are just a slap in the face of those in Canton and Riverstone Church. I hope Gary will see one day but if his ego continues to get in the way, that day will be a long way off.
Shaking my head – it's funny how you like to take shots at someone, but you're not COURAGEOUS enough to leave your name and email. This is quite typical of the "drive-by-shooting" Christians who have their guns filled with judgment. The power of your message is lost in your unwillingness to go public.
BTW – the name of the church that Gary planted is Revolution Church – not Riverstone Church.
David, my anonymity doesn't make a difference about the truth being spoken. I think your labeling is out of line and only used to misdirect the truth spoken. I am not here to argue any of that with you and the message doesn't lose any power because I don't post an email address. Please David, don't pull the "Christians shouldn't judge" card.
I will apologize to Riverstone for mistakenly tagging them with Mr Lamb.
David, Can I just say, as someone that has seen this from the perspective of a network church of Revolution Church that I totally understand how someone can say that they have lost their trust in Gary, and I know for sure that he has had to deal with that from so many people. I will also say however that the instant that we as Christians become judgmental to those who have "fallen short of the glory of God" we put ourselves in a position to not fully grasp the concept of grace. Yes, Gary failed… very badly, and VERY publicly, within the same time period that that happened there were a number of other pastors around the country that I remember vividly hearing about that had failed as well in the same area. Satan tends to attack our weaknesses, and many times it's not the affair that is the weakness as much as it is the solitude that many pastors, as well as public figures in general face through the pressure of always being "in the limelight" I know I'm pretty much writing a mini blog post here so I will close with this, to those that are judgmental, just remember… God forgave, period, end of story. And if you have a problem with His grace, or deciding who is and isn't fit for a specific job within a ministry, I dare say be careful, because I have seen more than one instance where Satan uses this pride much much more easily to sway people away from God than many of the sins that Gary dealt with. Alright…kicking my soapbox aside now…
I like this, "…Christians become judgmental to those who have "fallen short of the glory of God" we put ourselves in a position to not fully grasp the concept of grace", not only do we not fully grasp the concept of grace, but we also have obviously forgotten our own fallen state… you know, "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (By the way I am in no way taking shots at morethanclark above.) Yes Gary failed, yet show me the person who hasn't/doesn't. I'm a sinner saved by grace and I get up every day and move a step closer to Christ yet I fall down along the way, does that mean I should pastor a church…
I want to meet these pastors who don't/haven't sinned that are held in such high esteem. When I meet one I will feel better about all those attempting to hold Gary to that standard. In the mean time for those who think that He is disingenuous, don't attend his church, you don't have to trust him to forgive him, but you are called to love him in spite of the fact that you may have been hurt, you don't like his choices and you don't approve of his life style.
I have to assume that many people had lives changed because they were pointed to Christ through people at Revolution Church and I will guess that there will be many people's lives that will be changed by Christ through the people at C3.
I would just like point out that Gary has spent a lot of his personal time ministering to and encouraging other leaders and pastors that have blown it. I am one of those men that Gary has helped.
Gary never denies where he went wrong. He lives with the consequences of his actions every day. Just ask him. He’ll tell you. He lost everything, including his kids. But by the Grace and Mercy of God,Gary is rebuilding his life and God is using him to minister to people who have blown it.
Randy,
My name is Dee Lauderdale and I'm a friend of Gary's. I just wanted you to know that not all of Gary's friends agree with him starting C3 in Canton. In fact I've told him on numerous occasions that it's a bad idea. All that being said, I'm still Gary's friend and will continue to be, just like friends of mine have stuck with me even when I was doing something they didn't agree with.
I understand how you feel and I'd just encourage you to take the view I have, if God's is in it you can't and don't want to stop it, if He's not then not even Gary's personality can make it happen. (Acts 5:38-39)
Interesting comments, but it seems that everyone has jumped the gun…maybe I was not clear. My post have nothing to do with judgement. I am not a judge, and I have nothing to forgive Gary for. He has not wronged me, but my concern is for those non-christians, who turn from any possibility of opening their heart to God because of the actions of Gary, or any of us who choose not to live our belief system.
I personally sin every day…much more than I wish to, but my request for forgiveness is between me and God, just as Gary's is between him and God. We are not judges of his sin. We are as a body of believers required to follow the biblical requirements for a leader/pastor. In restoring himself to the position of pastor (and I use the term restoring himself on purpose), what biblical doctrine is Gary following.
Gary has admitted his sin, and as has been said here, "he lost everything"…Let's take an inventory…he lost a marriage that he admits he had already abandoned (he says that he did not try to revive, but married the "other woman" instead). He lost his children (he has to play the "disney-dad" now and see them when he gets them. He lost the church that he founded, now starting a new church enlarging the hurt of those he disappointed before. He tweets that although he has lost everything, life has now begun anew and everything is wonderful being married to the most beautiful woman in the world (paraphrase). Looks like he didn't lose much. He is living his "wonderful" life with ego intact. Read Gary's twitter feeds over the last year, and it paints a picture of an ego that appears to continue.
Gary: I pray that I misunderstand.
When you hold yourself up as a leader/pastor/teacher/parent and you fail, you open yourself up to questioning by everyone. I am not saying that God can not use Gary. I am not saying that Gary won't succeed if God is not in it though. Don't automatically credit the success he has with God. We see successes supported by entities other than God all of the time. God may allow Gary to succeed. There may be a plan for allowing some to be deceived. I do not know. I do know that I have personally seen new Christians who followed teachers like Gary and then "fell by the roadside" specifically because of the deceit and that is sad. My original post only was to point out that the story "as told by Gary" was incomplete. And in the spirit of fairness, that all of the information needed to be available to those reading this who would otherwise, be misled.
BTW: Dee, I applaud you remaining friends with Gary. I would be his friend also and would support him as a friend, but what he is wanting is me to support him as the pastor of a new church. I can not do that. Your expressing to him that it was a bad/wrong idea to start a new church within a year of this fall, and without any biblical justification was the right thing. Notice that anyone who advised him as you did was discounted. I believe the book says something about wise men seeking counsel. Seeking counsel does not mean that you only listen to those who agree with you.
As I said, I wish Gary well, and will continue to pray for him. I will pray that God's will be done in regards to his church and all others. I can not pray for "success".
We, as Christians do not have the right to judge Gary for his sin. That is between him and God. We as Christians have a responsibility to pray for Gary (and all of those in leadership positions)…I for one will be praying that God's will be the only will that is done.
BTW: to all of those who left comments anonymously…the comment about cowardice is correct….if you have an opinion…stand up and be counted. This discussion is not about attacking anyone. It is about expressing your opinion on whether or not a failure can be restored in the eyes of those who were wronged, and in the eyes of God.
Bless you all.
randy
I do not personally know Gary, I have never attended any of the churches he is affiliated with. His blog was recommended to me and I read it. After learning of his "fall" immediately I was flooded with compassion because although he caused alot of hurt and disgrace, he also indirectly created a process and possibility for those he affected to draw nearer to God examine their own hearts and find it within themselves to act accordingly. God uses the good, bad, and ugly to reach us. Gary's calling is up to God and if He allows, entrusts, Gary to continue service through pastoring, how can we question or have such strong opinion for something good and worthy towards expanding the Kingdom. Forget examples of "great " Christians, absorb the absolute truth of no condemnation in Christ Jesus period. God decides how, where and in what office Gary serves. All other conjecture is just that. Allow God to be God and He will sort out the rest regardless of the mess. I realize your sense of justice is bruised, but it really does just boil down to God handling it not anyone or anything disagreeing with it. Be encouraged the same grace is available to us all. Be Blessed.
I have read Gary's twitter post as well as his Facebook posts. I think when he says "he lost it all" he means that. He did lose his wife, kids and job, he lost friends that he thought would be with him forever. He actually did lose everything at that time, he was homeless, friendless and jobless. Can you imagine how he felt? I can. Thankfully we serve a God of forgiveness and HE doesn't hold grudges! Yes, Gary has a wonderful wife, job and church again. God, didn't keep him down…HE allowed Gary to rebuild his life after he repented. That is the wonderful God we serve! Thank goodness God forgives us much better than man does, or we would all be doomed.
As I read some of these comments I want to scream "He/She who is WITHOUT SIN, cast the first stone." Those of you who don't think Gary should be in ministry- that is not up to you. That is between Gary and God. God can use all of us if we allow him to work through us and in spite of us. Gary has admitted he made a mistake and he is trying to build a new life.This could have turned out differently. He could turned to drugs, alcohol or he could have just turned his back on God and the call on his life. What I see is a man who is human, and who is sincerely trying to make amends and lead others to a REAL relationship with God. I think if we spent as much time praying for each other as we do condemning each other, there would be more people who would know and love God. The God I have loved and served for 47 years is a God of forgiveness and restoration. I know it broke his heart when Gary fell, but I know he is smiling because Gary got back up. Gary is trying to reach those that the traditional church can't get to. Gary is at least trying- what are you doing?
Gary's greatest sin was his manipulation. What's forgotten is that while Gary was weeks into his affair he was still baptizing people in the name of Christ. I find this astonishing.
The word Gary has yet to use to describe himself is selfish. He put his sexual deviance before his wife and his children. His selfishness and immaturity will be brought up at birthdays, proms, graduations and most importantly weddings. That is the hell he will have to live through for the rest of his life.
He is a man of this world. He makes it a point to let everyone know when and where he is cycling, buying new t-shirts, taking much needed vacations, and closing deals. He is a man dealing with significant insecurities.
I have yet to see a recent blog post of his on what current scripture he is studying, but I do know he has a new passion for Lost.
I point these things out as an example of his meager foundation. That will cost him – again.
I pray for his ex-wife and children.
I also pray God works a great miracle in Gary's life – most importantly his Salvation.
John,
Actually if you have a conversation with Gary he WILL tell you how selfish his actions were. Don't jude him on the little bit of info he puts on twitter and facebook. There is much, much more to him than those things. IF you are trying to get to know anyone through the internet you are only getting half of the true person. Gary repented, he does live with what he did daily. He knows he was selfish, he knows he sined, he knows he hurt many people at the top of that list his wife and children. But because of the forgiveness and love of the wonderful God we serve he has been allowed to rebuild his life. Let's praise God that Gary didn't end up turning away from his as a result but more toward him. Let's thank God that people are still being lead into a relationship with Jesus becasue Gary Lamb cared enough to spend a little time praying with them and for them.
No matter if you like him as a person or not he is still doing a great work for the amazing God we serve!
John I must disagree.
Gary put on facebook yesterday about people seeing what they want to see. I think this is a case of that.
Gary has said over and over that he was selfish. He actually says it in his interview on this page. What are you reading? I have never heard Gary not say he was selfish.
I also see Gary post scripture a lot to his facebook account and what God is teaching him. He very rarely posts blogs anymore so I'm not sure that is fair to say he doesn't share what he is reading.
I know Gary and I don't agree with what Gary did but I also talk to him on a regular basis and he is not the same person. Gary will always be a pied piper and a lightning rod because of his personality but he can't win for losing with some people.
I agree with John….Gary is more interested about his name and his fame then his salvation. Yes, there are some who still support Gary but most find his recent decision (C3) insensitive, immature and delusional. His name holds very little respect in the town of Canton…The right thing to do would have been to step away for an extended period and disconnect from the community and reconnect with the Lord. In my educated opinion, and from someone who lives in Canton, Gary failed to do so…
Canton,
I too live in Canton….have all of my life. I went to Gary's previous church as well as C3. I have to tell you C3 is growing. Gary being intrested in his Fame is rather funny to me. Gary would have liked nothing more than to leave Canton and have no one here remember him. GOd had different plans.
As christians it seems to me that we are called to forgive…to love as God Himself does. Reading what people on here have to say about him I can see that is not happening. How very sad. God still loves Gary….God has forgiven Gary, why can't the "christians" of Canton do the same?
Hello friends – unfortunately a number of people want to post comments anonymously, and they are rather vindictive. Therefore, I have deleted those comments. My purpose in providing interviews with my readers is to show the process and repercussions of infidelity. This isn't a venue for your attacks.