About Gary Yagel

Gary’s Background

Gary Yagel began his ministry as a volunteer Young Life leader while attending Penn State University.  He continued to work as a Young Life leader after moving home to the Washington DC suburbs and working for the Department of Labor.  He later graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.  He served four years as a youth pastor at the Presbyterian Church of the Atonement in Silver Spring Maryland, where his favorite part of ministry was discipling the high school guys. 

In 1982 Gary began a twenty year career in the Presbyterian Church in America as a church planter and senior pastor.  In 2002, after reading Bob Buford’s book, Halftime, he realized that God was calling him to focus 100% of his energy on his real passion—helping the church disciple men.  With his courageous wife, Sandy, Gary stepped out in faith to begin Family Builders, Inc.

Since then, Gary has led the men’s division of Family Builders, serving as the Executive Director of Forging Bonds of Brotherhood.  In this capacity, he is busy nearly every Saturday speaking on men’s retreats, leading men’s seminars such as “Great Dads,” or seminars he has designed like, “Grace Transformed Sexuality.” He taught his discipleship course, “Called to Be Men” for  many years at Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, VA and is the author of many resources available on the website.

Gary’s Credentials

Gary’s experience as a husband of 30 years, a father of 5 children, and pastor of growing churches in the busy suburbs of Washington DC has equipped him to understand the needs of men in the fast-paced 21^st century.  His church planting experience training leaders and equipping members to use their gifts has perfectly prepared him to train men’s ministry leadership teams.

Gary is an Associate of Great Dads, a Field Network Trainer and speaking faculty member of Man In the Mirror, and the Men’s Ministry Coach of his denomination, the Presbyterian Church In America.  He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program of Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando.