Gary grew up in an independent Evangelical Church in Michigan. He committed his life to Christ at an early age. Later he earned a degree from Wheaton College and began working for Gordon College. Gayle, on the other had, was raised in a completely unchurched family. At 18, she was invited to a Presbyterian Church, invited to read the Gospel of John, causing her to accept Christ as her savior. After they were married and moved to Massachusetts, they began to attend an Episcopal parish near the college where Gary worked. This, as well as their friendship with Thomas Howard, began a journey that led them to the Catholic Church.