Bios

Pastor Gary VanRiper has been in full-time ministry for 40+ years and counting. Upon his conversion to Christ, 50 years ago, Pastor Gary became involved in writing and distributing Gospel tracts for the parachurch ministry, Book Fellowship International, also taking college courses and correspondence courses in theology anticipating service one day in full-time ministry.

While serving as an assistant pastor at a local evangelical church, Pastor Gary co-owned the hometown community paper, Camden Times & Beach Journal. It was It was his love for journalism and photography that led to multiple awards for articles and photos in the newspaper, his work also appearing in publications such as Adirondack Life, The Conservationist and Birder’s World. During this time, Pastor Gary and his son, Justin, also created The Adirondack Kids© children’s book series (www.adirondackkids.com).

An avid hiker, Pastor Gary is an “Adirondack 46er” and was privileged to host Adirondack Journal for the regional television show Mohawk Valley Living, as well as writing about the Adirondacks for MVL magazine.

It is his love for people and children, however, that has always propelled him forward in ministry and continues to do so today. Pastor Gary is a co-founder of Willow (formerly CareNet of CNY, formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Oneida County) Network (www.willownetwork.org) and most recently co-founder and board president of AscentCare Pregnancy Services in Saranac Lake, NY. (www.ascentcare.org)

Pastor Gary, along with his wife Carol of 45 years (and counting!) also received the Rotary Community Service Award for their work in therapeutic foster care. They share three children and seven grandchildren together.