FAQ
What led the search team to unanimously select this candidate?
A broad array of factors and abilities were assessed for each candidate including seminary education, ministry experience, character, vision/leadership, cultural fit, teaching/preaching, and shepherding.
As the search progressed, the committee’s collective discernment became an increasingly refined resource having examined 51 candidates over a four-year period.
The additional step of meeting with the candidate’s ministry partners and mentors led to confirmation of his leadership track record and consistency of character.
In the end, prayer and discernment by the committee, candidate, and pastoral search firm led to a unified conclusion that the congregation of HVC would be blessed to invite Gary Wilmer as their next senior pastor.
What makes this candidate a great fit for HVC?
Gary’s personal relationship with God, his more than two decades of large ministry leadership experience, and HVC’s need for a senior pastor provide a foundation of good timing and a great fit. His heart for evangelism and connecting with those who don’t yet know God will help us continue to learn how to reach and connect with our neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Gary’s understanding of how we mature in our faith, through discipleship, will strengthen and encourage our relationships with God and one another. His preaching is insightful, motivating, and encourages us to live more as Jesus modeled. We have the benefit that he has been part of our church and he already understands our culture and wants it to continue to thrive and grow. It’s an added benefit that he already understands our regional culture and is in sync with how people in our area think, what they value, and where they need bolstering in the Lord. Gary is excited to continue his ministry investment in our region, encouraging and building into the congregation of Hunt Valley Church.
What has made HVC a unique staffing challenge, and how does Gary’s experience translate to our environment?
Having a congregation larger than 97% of PCA churches, with a full complement of ministry initiatives, has made finding someone with the right experience a challenge. Gary has served in a pastoral role for years, under the title Senior Regional Director of Young Life for the Chesapeake Bay Region. The complexities, breadth, and depth of that role correlates well with the Senior Pastor role of Hunt Valley Church. Gary has a strong reputation for discipleship, raising up leaders, and shepherding the community. In addition, his ministry activity reflects intentional, purpose driven decisions that help people take tangible growth steps in their faith.
He’s been a part of our community throughout the pastor search process. Why didn’t we find him sooner?
In the early part of the search process, Gary was approached by various people encouraging him to consider engaging as a candidate. At the time, he felt called to continue his leadership at Young Life as they navigated the pandemic. During the onset of Covid the search team heard similar steadfast commitments from many of the candidates. As the pastor search continued, the time that passed matured the LPSC process, provided Gary space for discernment, and oriented the congregation’s attention forward in anticipation of a new leader. In 2024, having been through a time of discernment, reflection, and quiet affirmation from peers and mentors, Gary felt his own call to enter the process and approached the committee to be considered as a candidate.
What are the phases of this transition and how long is it anticipated to take to complete?
To fully enter and be ordained into the Presbyterian Church in America, Gary will need to meet some study requirements of the PCA and regional presbytery. This process will likely last 6-9 months, beginning in January of 2025, due in a large part to the schedule of the Presbytery. The end of that period will lead to formal examination by the regional Presbytery. Once the ordination process is complete, Gary will transition from his title of Senior Pastor Elect and be formally installed as the Senior Pastor of HVC.
Before Gary is formally installed as the Senior Pastor, what will his role look like at HVC?
Gary will become a full-time employee of HVC on February 1, 2025, serving as Senior Pastor Elect. While he awaits ordination in the PCA system, he will be a contributing guest at Session meetings and will participate regularly in the Sunday worship services. Gary will provide coaching and support to HVC elders, staff, and the congregation during this time.
