Sally Gary is founder and director of CenterPeace, a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry dedicated to creating space for conversation about faith and sexuality. Growing up in Churches of Christ in the ‘60s & ‘70s, Sally has a great love for the spiritual heritage that first introduced her to Jesus and instilled in her a strong faith. But as a gay Christian, she knows firsthand the pain of wrestling with her own faith and sexuality, and how difficult it can be to stay connected to church, to Christianity, to God with no support from your faith community. This is what drives Sally’s passion for CenterPeace, the ministry she founded in 2006 to create a place of belonging for LGBTQ+ Christians, encouraging them to hold onto faith and stay connected to God.
For over 16 years, CenterPeace has been building community for sexual minorities, hosting online and in-person retreats and other resources for nurturing the faith of LGBTQ+ individuals. CenterPeace also hosts retreats for families of LGBTQ+ youth, and workshops for churches and schools, and other organizations to foster greater inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. Since 2009, CenterPeace has hosted a national conference featuring keynote speakers such as Justin Lee and Matthew Vines. The conference has attracted thousands over the years – LGBTQ+ Christians, church leaders, parents, and allies – from across the globe, for the purpose of learning how to love and embrace the LGBTQ+ community in our midst and beyond.
This year’s CenterPeace Conference is in Dallas, Texas, at Wilshire Baptist – a fully open and affirming Baptist church – November 3 – 5. Jeff Chu of “Evolving Faith” is the featured keynote speaker, along with Justin and Matthew, Joel Hollier from Australia and Staci Frenes, singer/songwriter from Los Angeles. AND Rocky Roggio, director and creative genius behind the new film 1946, a documentary about mistranslation in Scripture.
Sally holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from Abilene Christian University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. A former high school speech and debate coach, trial lawyer and communication professor, Sally is a teacher at heart. Most of all, Sally is dedicated to serving queer youth, helping them know they are loved by God and that they always belong. Everywhere.
The author of Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church, Sally currently resides in Dallas, Texas, with her wife, Karen, and their miniature dapple dachshund, Rudy.
For more information about CenterPeace, visit centerpeace.net and follow on social media:
Facebook – facebook.com/centerpeaceinc
Instagram - @centerpeaceinc
