Reverend Knighton is a passionate communicator, thoughtful leader, and critical thinker with a heart for God’s people and a vision for the world.

A graduate of Liberty University, he has also completed several graduate-level courses at the Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity in pursuit of a Master of Divinity degree in Preaching.

Pastor Gary currently serves as the newly elected Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church of Hartford, where he previously served as Interim Pastor for 18 months before his election. He is also the Protestant Chaplain at the University of Hartford, where the campus ministry service attracts 50–60 students each Tuesday night during the semester. Over the past decade, he has served faithfully as both pastor and missionary in the college mission field, influencing, mentoring, and mobilizing hundreds of emerging leaders from around the globe. He firmly believes—without apology—that the college and university campus is the most strategic mission field on the planet and that the Church must be present there if we intend to reach the world for Christ.

Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Gary worked as a Clinician and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with Community Renewal Team’s Forensic Behavioral Health Unit, serving community members on parole and transitional supervision. This background deeply informs his pastoral heart, giving him a unique compassion for people from all walks of life.

In his leisure, Gary enjoys reading, photography, baseball, pickleball, strength training, and laughing until he cries with the people he loves. He is joyfully married to Shaquana Knighton, and together they are excitedly expecting a baby boy. He is also a proud father to Benjamin, Hunter, and Luke.