Dr. Gary Carr joins Education and Clergy Development
Dr. Gary Carr is a new director in the Education and Clergy Development Division. First among a range of responsibilities, he is the new associate chaplain endorser for The Wesleyan Church. Carr was a highly decorated military chaplain (COMMANDER, USN) endorsed by The Wesleyan Church. Originally from Lansing Faith Wesleyan Church, he pastored at Diamond Springs Wesleyan Church in Michigan, then embarked upon active duty military chaplain service in 1987 and retired from the Navy at the end of 2007. His distinguished service there included:
- Division chaplain for 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC from 2004-2006, managed 22 ministry teams, serving 25,000 personnel plus their families.
- Senior naval officer for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, coordinating crisis ministry during evacuation of 14,000 US Citizens from Beirut, Lebanon, in 2006. President, Fleet Marine Force Qualification Board.
- Battle force chaplain of the 7th Fleet and Command Chaplain of USS KITTY HAWK from 2002-2004, supervising ministry to 8,000 personnel and families during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
- National director of Navy Chaplain Corps Recruiting from 1999-2002. The successful strategic changes that were put in place remain in practice today.
- Command chaplain for the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Florida, from 1996-1999. Established new programs including the Core Values Academy, providing spiritual readiness for 18,000 students per year. Also trained U.S. Navy vocal team.
- Group chaplain for the Navy Seals and the first chaplain ever assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Seals). Trained with Seals in all aspects, except weaponry. Deployed operationally, including austere environments. Established the Navy Special Warfare Critical Incident Stress Team.
Since then Dr. Carr has served as vice-president in charge of global translation operations for the International Bible Society, and more recently as vice-president at Southern Wesleyan University.
Dr. Carr graduated from the University of Michigan with high distinction in English and comparative linguistics. He holds the M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, the Th.M. in preaching from Duke, and the Doctor in Ministry in Leadership (with distinction) from Fuller Seminary.
Dr. Carr is married to Karen, and they have three daughters.
