Garry was an outstanding team member and was invited to return for several summers. He made a great impact on our participants and he was a delight to work with.  His strong presentation skills were a true asset; many times we have excellent, experienced directors on staff – but their teaching skills are weak. Garry is engaging and inspiring.  He is also warm and hospitable – and that is very important to us at Mercy Center, where we hope to model the ministry of presence and hospitality to all who come to our formation programs.  He also is culturally sensitive and aware, another gift to our very international training programs.  In short, I believe that Garry will be asset to your community and your training programs. I highly recommend him as an outstanding staff person, team member and teacher. You will be fortunate to have him.

Suzanne Buckley, Director, Mercy Center

Based on these rich shared experiences, I can say that Garry is a tremendous asset to the mission of our program.  He brings a pastoral heart to the work, along with years of experience nurturing growth in others in countless ways.  He is a very capable spiritual director, small group leader and supervisor, a creative and effective teacher.   As you can imagine, during such an intensive month, we encounter group and individual psychological – and spiritual – challenges.  Garry is astute in his insights about the inner workings of the human heart and mind and makes a real contribution to our efforts to make a healing response to these dynamics.

Catherine Regan, Ph.D, Program Coordinator Mercy Center

I appreciate the openness and acceptance amongst the group where we can share our deepest thoughts, our gravest concerns, our weakness’. and even our wildest imaginations….and not be judged, but be accepted for who we are.  Being in full-time Ministry is tough.  The opportunity to share in an open confidential manner allows me to know that I have a safe place to ‘bare it all’.  Oasis gives me a chance in the month to: debrief, unload, come up for air, seek wise counsel, get a better perspective, be a listening or sounding board amongst colleagues who know what it’s like to be in the ‘trenches’ of full-time ministry…

Senior Pastor

Garry is a deeply aware and well-rounded human being. His work includes counseling and spiritual direction… He works out of the Anglican church in Vernon, but his experience and practice of spirituality is grounded, contemplative and inclusive. He offers phenomenal personal and couples counseling at reasonable rates. Garry has been like an elder to me and many others, a steady and compassionate light through crisis. He understands the dark night of the soul and practices simple and profound healing relationships.

RM Masters of Education student, Actress, Yoga Instructor

“Garry co-facilitated a group of senior high youth in our congregation on a regular basis for over a year. His open, calm, and welcoming manner gave the young people freedom to explore their questions and their relationships with God in a liberating and non-judgemental way. Our youth grew deeply in relationship with God and with one another, and in the process developed a caring community of deep trust.”

Rita Harrison, Anglican Priest