Biographical Sketch of
    Pastor M. Elden Gaines

BACKGROUND
Pastor Gaines was born in Dayton, Ohio and raised in New Carlisle and Dayton. Saved at Dayton Gospel Temple, on November 3, 1971, he was called to preach about a year and a half later. After establishing and leading a church, as well as conducting regularly scheduled live radio broadcasts while on isolated duty for a year on Diego Garcia (an atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean), serving as a Sunday School teacher, board member, Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor for several churches he pastored for nearly 14 years at Grace Chapel in Imperial Beach, California (a suburb of San Diego.) During these times of servitude and pastoring he trained numerous others for the ministry that have gone on to pastor churches of their own, or were called into other areas of ministry. Dan & Cindy DeSchoolmeester, both of whom were discipled by Brother Gaines, now have a discipleship ministry in a church in Pennsylvania Dan is also now licensed and performing some pastoral duties. Former associate pastors, Manuel & Linda Denning, went out and birthed an independent church in Washington state. Johnny Holmes and his wife Vilma make frequent visitations to several nursing facilities and homes, ministering in word and music in the San Diego, California area. Eddie Larkin, former worship leader at Grace Chapel, and his wife Wendy have worked in several churches in Washington state, assisting other pastors. Our oldest daughter, Tallawanda Greene, along with her husband Michael and 4 children, have been missionaries for a number of years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. A son, Paul Gaines, served as a youth Pastor for a while and traveled in Romania with a music ministry some years ago.

Pastor Gaines has worked in and with many denominations, including Assembly of God (Springfield, MO), Pentecostal Church of God (Joplin, MO), Assemblies of God, International (San Diego, CA), Church of the Foursquare Gospel (Los Angeles, CA), Church of God (Cleveland, TN), The Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers, International ((FGFCMI) Dallas, TX), Southern Baptist, Missionary Baptist and various independent churches.

Pastor Gaines has traveled much in the far east and has preached and taught in Mexico, Japan, Okinawa, Guam, Hong Kong, Thailand, Diego Garcia and the Philippines. He received the baptism of the Holy Spirit while attending a Christian Servicemen's retreat in Pattaya Beach, Thailand in 1974. While serving his country in the U.S. Navy for a number of years, he conducted worship services and Bible studies regularly, filled in for chaplains, baptized converts, administered communion and counseled with servicemen and their families.

While pastoring and working full time, he managed to return to school, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a second major in Information Systems, from National University (San Diego, CA), a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Theology from the School of Bible Theology (San Jacinto, CA) and also studied for a period of time at Linda Vista Baptist Seminary (El Cajon, CA.)

PREACHING & TEACHING
Pastor Gaines is known as an excellent Bible teacher, a dynamic preacher and has a heart for lost souls. He is currently reading through the Bible for the 28th time, giving him a deep and thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

Pastor Gaines has had a radio ministry, counseling ministry, taught Christian school, taught in Bible college and seminary and is well-versed at teaching end-time revelation (from the books of Daniel and Revelation), teaching and illustrating the gifts of the Spirit (from First Corinthians and others) and preaches ably from the entire Word of God. The meetings have been visited with salvation, reclaiming of backsliders, baptism in the Holy Spirit, deliverance and healings. He has also written several choruses which are used in the local church.

With more than 32 years of ministry experience, including 15 years as a senior pastor, several more as an associate pastor, and some time evangelizing, Pastor Gaines is sensitive to the pastor's calling and heart for God's people.

SINGING
Pastor Gaines sang in school and church choirs and glee clubs from the time he was about 12 years old, but never did solos or small group singing until shortly after he was saved at the age of 24. For a brief time he was with the Joint Heirs Quartet (while serving as Youth Pastor at San Ysidro 1st Assembly of God, in California.); he and his wife sing as Two for Calvary, and he sang for a year with his wife, her sister Rhonda Moore and Rhonda's husband Elzie in a mixed quartet called The Master Sounds. Pastor and Sister Gaines have served as the Ministers of Music at Parkridge Church of God, in Springfield, Ohio and in the same capacity at Full Gospel Temple in Eaton, Ohio.

Biographical sketch of Sister Vickie L. Gaines

Vickie Lynn (Sibole) Gaines was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. Saved at the age of 8, she began singing as the youngest member of the Dimples Quartet. She also sang with her sister Rhonda and they were later joined by their oldest sister Shane, forming the Faith Trio. Down through the years she sang and played with many choirs and choral groups, performed solos, participated in talent contests, and won an Ohio state singing championship. At the age of 15 she was invited to join the Maranatha Singers and traveled as a pianist and singer, and once experienced the thrill of performing at the Grand Ol' Opry. She has played and sung for numerous groups, in many churches and in several states over the years. She sang with her husband Elden, her sister Rhonda Moore and Rhonda's husband Elzie Moore in The Master Sounds quartet. She and Pastor Gaines have often sung as Two for Calvary. Vickie possesses a special gift for playing and singing during altar ministry, making her an invaluable partner to Brother Gaines during these very important times. Her sweet spirit, winning smile and sincerity make her very popular wherever we go. The Pastor says she's just like Sara Lee; "Nobody doesn't like Vickie Lynn."