Rev Dwayne A Gary

Rev. Dwayne A. Gary is the Senior Pastor of Woodlawn African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, located in Chicago, Illinois.  He was assigned to the church in October of 2021 under the leadership of Bishop John F. White, Sr.

Before St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Rev. Gary served in Michigan.  He was ordained as an Itinerant Deacon (Minister) in the A.M.E. Church in August of 1995 and became the Youth Pastor at his home church, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Detroit, Michigan.  Two years later, Rev. Gary was ordained an Itinerant Elder and assigned Pastor of New St. James A.M.E. Church in Detroit Michigan, where he pastored for six years; Pleasant Valley A.M.E. Church in Belleville, Michigan for one year; and Saunders Memorial A.M.E. Church in Detroit Michigan for 13 years; and St. Paul in Glencoe, Illinois for 4 years. Rev. Gary is uniquely gifted at blending styles of worship from the very contemporary and urban down to the traditional without sacrificing one for the other. It has resulted in a church that is built around a uniquely diverse group of people with various age groups and cultures. He is a powerful messenger of God who has established himself as an outstanding preacher and teacher.

Due to the untimely deaths of George Floyd, Ahmad Albury, and Breonna Taylor, Rev. Gary implemented a Rally for Justice yielding in a 400-caravan honking and cheering “Black Lives Matter” through the Village of Glencoe and Rev. Gary delivered the Rally message of awareness, and actionable steps the community can engage in to promote diversity, equality and inclusion.

In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he served as the Disciplinary Officer and Jail Program Specialist for Wayne County Jails. Prior work experiences are Senior Development Officer for United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Director of Fundraising for Michigan Technical Academy School of Redford, Michigan.

Rev. Gary attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, majored in Sociology and received certification from Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.  He is currently a student at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. 

His community involvement includes 3rd District Chicago Police Clergy Association, Chicago Ministerial Alliance, and Vicinity. He is a member of the Wayne County Sheriffs Chaplain, NAACP, and Golden Rule Lodge #36 FAAM.

Throughout his life and ministry, Rev. Gary has demonstrated a caliber of leadership well beyond his years. Recognized as a man from humble beginnings, he is a teacher, businessman, community volunteer, pastor, and most of all, he is married to Kimberly and they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.