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Rev. Gary Atkinson
 
Ginger and I are native Pennsylvanian’s, born and raised in Beaver Falls. Following graduation from High School, I entered the US Air Force where I was trained to repair huey helicopters. Upon my discharge, I joined the Pennsylvania Air Nation Guard in Pittsburgh where I learned to be a personnel technician. During my time with the PaANG,  I also worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation located in Vanport. After four years there, due to reduction in force, I became unemployed. It was during this time that I answered God’s call to ministry. In 1984, ten years after graduating high school, I began college. In 1988, I graduated from Geneva College with a BA degree in Biblical Studies.
 
From there, I enrolled in the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (METHESCO). While there I served three small country churches in southern Ohio. Upon my return to PA, I was appointed to the Pleasant Unity United Methodist Charge in the Greensburg  District. There I was ordained both deacon and elder in the Western PA Conference of the UM Church.
 
Shortly after my ordination to elder, I became a chaplain for the US Navy. During my 8 ½ years there, I served at NAS (naval air station) Cecil Field, located in Jacksonville, FL. From there I was assigned to the USS Sacramento home ported in Bremerton, Washington where I served for two years. From there, I was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA to serve with the Marines for 2 ½ years. After my tour with the marines I went to Panama City, FL for about 9 months. Upon my release from active duty, God called me to serve here in Emporium.
 
As I mentioned earlier, I am married to Ginger, my high school sweetheart, and my son Ben is with us. We have been blessed by the reception that we have received and look forward to a long and prosperous ministry at First United Methodist Church.