After 20 years of faithful and dedicated service, Gary Emery will not continue as Open Bible Pacific Region Executive Director for an additional term of service. He and Joneile, his beautiful wife, have prayerfully worked through this decision that was thrust upon them by the loss of Gary’s eyesight.
Gary has served Open Bible in a multitude of positions such as much-loved youth pastor, church planter, lead pastor, and lately as Pacific Region Executive Director, always with Joneile working alongside him. Gary will serve as acting interim regional executive director until his successor is in place, and he will be available to assist with his successor’s orientation.
Gary said, “Joneile and I are looking forward to this next season. We have enjoyed every ministry assignment God has given us and are confident that He will continue to lead us and shape our future. Joneile (an artist) will keep teaching watercolor classes. I will soon release a leadership series of YouTube videos I’m calling Four Minute Fridays. I am reading voraciously via audible books (mainly biographical/historical genre). We are also looking forward to time with our kids and grandkids and working on our house and garden.
“We have been blessed to lead what for me is the finest region in all of Open Bible. The pastors and leaders are dear to our hearts, and we consider it a great privilege to be part of their lives. We hope that we have given opportunity for young men and women to step into their God-shaped futures. We would be remiss if we did not honor those who have mentored us along the way, including Earl and Armeda Dukes, MJ and Ruth Stewart, Jim and Shirley Pluimer, and Don and Ruth Bryan. We are also thankful for the two presidents we have served under, Jeff Farmer and Randall Bach. We have found no greater pleasure than serving our Master and will continue to do so with every opportunity He gives us.”
Gary Emery
“Gary Emery’s heart is a wonderful blend of a pastor’s heart and a CEO’s heart,” said President Randall Bach. “He is loyal to and protective of people under his care. He loves to pour life into them. That is his pastor’s heart. And yet he does not flinch from making the tough CEO calls out of a visionary passion for the Church to thrive in fulfilling its mission. He loves pastors and he loves churches. Gary is one of the most insightful and intelligent people with whom I have had opportunity to work. He has a quick, analytical eye. In addition to having served with Gary in Open Bible leadership, I also view him as a friend, even as we have had to work through challenges that come to all teams of leaders. Open Bible Churches has been blessed to have Gary and Joneile Emery serve as leaders over the past twenty years. On behalf of all of Open Bible, I declare to the Emerys, ‘We love and believe in you. Thank you for your faithful and excellent service, the dividends from which will be measured for years. May the coming years be sweet as you discover how the Lord will creatively continue to use you.’”
Regional executive directors are appointed by the president in prayerful consultation with the regional board, approved by the national board of directors, and ratified by regional ministers.
