“Phoenix First is truly a church with a heart. Everyone regardless of social structure or race is welcome. Our leadership is balanced and relevant with high integrity.”
Working with the PFA Board of Directors, Pastor Gary Allison oversees all budgets and financial decisions for the church and its 270+ ministries. This includes financial supervision for construction projects. In addition, he is an advisor to the Phoenix Dream Center and other ministries; leader of a Wednesday night Fusion group; and a teacher at the annual PFA Pastors School.
Gary has witnessed every aspect of the church’s growth during his 26 years on the PFA staff. As a former Board member in PFA’s earliest years, he served on the nominating committee that brought Pastor Tommy Barnett to the church. He was also instrumental in finding the land the church now occupies.
For several years, Gary led a bus ministry team of 26 people and seven busses. During one memorable Easter egg hunt, this team brought in 2,600 youngsters. As part of a two-year outreach, he also supervised 30 volunteers that reached 1,000 Hispanics weekly at parks.
These days his focus is primarily financial oversight. “My vision is to continue to have a first class accounting department; help ministries grow while holding the reins on spending; and train every department head about financial integrity,” he says. He also enjoys advising other churches in administrative matters.
In the early days of his career, Gary started and managed several businesses. He ranked first out of a thousand sales trainees in a year-long sales course. He describes himself as a constant reader and lifelong learner. He is also experienced in general and mechanical contracting.
Gary’s ministry literally took him to the ends of the earth when he helped build a church in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.
Gary and his wife, Geri, have been married for 52 years. They have three grown children, a 13-year-old daughter, and eight grandchildren.
