Gary Long

Senior Pastor

I was born September 2, 1969 to Artie “Dean” and Kay Long in Salina, Kansas where we attended the Salina First Free Will Baptist Church. I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior at the age of eight. We moved to California in August of 1984 where my father accepted a job at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Bakersfield under the pastorate of Claudia Hames. At that time I attended Bethel Christian School. We moved to Shafter, California February 1, 1986 where my dad accepted the position of Senior Pastor.

I graduated from Bethel Christian School in June of 1988. I then went to California Christian College and studied Pastoral Theology. I married my wife, Melissa in September 19th of 1992. We have three children; Austin, Nolan and Abigale Grace. I was the Associate Pastor at the Shafter Free Will Baptist Church from March of 1999 under my father until the passing of my father October 26, 2014.

On December 1, 2014 I became the Senior Pastor of the Shafter Free Will Baptist Church. I also am the Principal of the Free Will Christian Academy. I have been a Chaplain for the Shafter Police department since 2002 where I serve the community as well as the staff.