The Backstory

Gary Keesee, our Senior Pastor, was born in New Albany, Ohio, and grew up a very shy, quiet kid who preferred being outdoors by himself to being around people. He didn’t make a strong commitment to God until his teen years; and shortly after, he saw a vision of himself preaching to a crowd of people. Everything about him changed after that, and Gary became the guy who told anyone who would listen about the power of Jesus. At the age of 22, he moved away to go to a Christian college in Oklahoma.

Drenda Keesee grew up in Central Georgia and was Miss I-Can-Do-Anything, class president, honor student, and communications extraordinaire. In fact, Drenda’s goal throughout high school was to be the next president of the United States. She was determined never to be married or have children as they would probably get in the way of her career. But all that changed when she met Jesus Christ, and this ex-feminist decided to attend a Christian college in Oklahoma.

And you can guess what happened next. When Gary’s job as a drapery installer required him to place a job posting on campus, Drenda was the one who answered the ad. 

Fast forward to their married life together with five children. Despite being diligent and working 15 to 18 hours a day, Gary found himself not just in poverty but in financial chaos. Gary and Drenda were believers, but they were struggling. Barely able to pay the $300 a month rent on their falling-apart farmhouse that had weeds growing through its broken windows, they also owed on both of their rusted-out, bent-up, high mileage cars, had 10 maxed out and canceled credit cards, three finance company loans at insanely high interest rates, more than $13,000 owed in back taxes, more than $26,000 owed to relatives, and judgments and liens filed against them.

This, of course, led to some severe emotional consequences. The discouragement and fear Gary battled every day slowly affected his mind and his body. Panic attacks, intense fear, and bouts of paralysis began taking over his body. Doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him. 

That chaos went on for nine very long years.

One day, Gary reached the end of his rope and desperately cried out to God. 

That was the day God said, “Take the time to learn how My Kingdom operates.” 

Desperate for real answers to life’s toughest questions concerning faith, family, finances, and the Kingdom of God, the Keesees began to delve even deeper into the Bible. They discovered that the Kingdom of God works by laws and that those laws operate every time. They discovered real answers on how to release the Kingdom of God into their lives.

That’s when their lives completely changed.

They paid off all of their debts in three years, made a stronger commitment to their marriage and family, and rebuilt their financial business, catering it toward helping families live financially free. Gary and Drenda became passionate about sharing their story and how God had made all the difference in every aspect of their lives.