Rev. Kennedy comes to the West District after serving the First United Methodist Church of Gilbert for the last ten years.  Before First Gilbert U.M.C., Gary served the dual role of being the Director of The Wesley Foundation at  Arizona State University and serving as an associate pastor at The First United Methodist Church of Tempe for seven years.  Prior to that, he served as pastor of the Community United Methodist Church of Avondale for four years.  His first appointment was as associate pastor at Paradise valley UMC where he served primarily as a youth and young adult pastor for four years.

 Gary grew up in Santa Paula, California where his family was active in the El Buen pastor UMC.  It was as an eighth grader that Gary first felt the call to ministry.   He graduated from Ventura, California State University, Fresno and Claremont School of Theology.

    Gary is no stranger to the West District.  While serving the Community Church of Avondale, he worked with the old West District Council of Ministries as the Youth Coordinator for the District.  In this capacity, Gayr visited many West District churches on District wide youth events.

    Last year Gary served as the Chairperson of the Covenant Council for Desert Southwest Annual Conference.  This is the coordinating body for vision, coordination, and budget for the Annual Conference.

Garyis married to Debbie.  She has worked for the Arizona Department of Public Safety as a Forensic Criminalist for eighteen years.  She enjoys playing volleyball in the valley wide “A” level volleyball league.  Her greatest enjoyment comes from being a mother. 

  Daughter Alyssa attends Vanguard University in Southern California.  She enjoys her work at Disney’s California Adventure where she performs as part of the performing cast in the Aladdin Show.

   Daughter Sherilyn is a junior at The University of Arizona.  She is studying communications and looks forward to a career in business.  She works as a lifeguard.

  Daughter Megan is a competitive gymnast.  She is a fourth grader and enjoys girl scouts, dance and reading.

  Daughter Hannah is a first grader.  She too enjoys gymnastics but her main activity is karate.  She likes brownies and being active.