Hello First UMC Gilbert! My name is Rev. Brandon Gilmore, but everyone usually calls me Pastor Brandon. It’s an honor to serve you all as your new Senior Pastor. I wanted to share a few things about myself to help you get acquainted with your new pastor.
It’s not uncommon for people to ask, “Where are you from?” when they meet me. While my accent may sound southern, it’s actually Appalachian, also known as hillbilly talk. I was born and raised in Scioto County, which is located along the Ohio River in Southern Ohio. It’s close to the border where Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia meet, hear the banjo?
I’ve been away from home for over 26 years, but my accent and my simple country upbringing remain. I’m blessed to have two amazing children. Bennett, who is 17, is a senior at Arcadia High School in Phoenix. Elizabeth (Eliza), who is 15 and going on 30, is a sophomore at Arcadia.
Upon leaving home in 1999 to pursue my calling into ministry, I’ve been constantly traveling the world. After earning a degree in Plastics Engineering, I attended Asbury College in Kentucky to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology. With two college degrees under my belt, I joined the United States Peace Corps and served for two years in Lom, Bulgaria. There, I taught English and Physics at a local high school and engaged the students in various projects, including baseball.
After living abroad, I immediately enrolled in graduate school in North Carolina. I’m incredibly passionate about my school, and I’ll be sharing all about it with you, so much so that you might get a bit overwhelmed. I attended Duke University, Go Duke! I’ll stop here to avoid overwhelming you further, but be prepared for basketball season (and football now).
After earning my Master of Divinity, I spent ten years serving churches in the Virginia Beach area. Then, I moved to Nashville for 18 months. My next endeavor was to save Central UMC in downtown Phoenix. For three years, I dedicated myself to that community, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

In 2024, I relocated to Lakeview UMC in Sun City. I’m thrilled to be here now with such amazing people.
I hope to get to know each of you. Please be patient with me as I learn your names and as I immerse myself in this wonderful community that I’m blessed to serve, First UMC Gilbert.

Grace be with you,

Pastor Brandon
pastorbrandon@gilbertumc.org