Rev. Dan Gildner

Dan grew up as the fourth of five children in Flint, Michigan. After graduating from the University of Michigan-Flint (BA in History) he received a Masters in Arts in Youth Ministry from Asbury Seminary. It is there that he met Erin. Erin was teaching PE, Health and Spanish at a Christian School after graduating from Asbury College. They were set up on a blind date and quickly knew that God had brought our stories together. Now they have three incredible children: Caleb, Silas and Elena. Dan is scheduled to finish his Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in May 2011.

Some moments and experiences that will forever impact Dan (apart from his faith in Jesus) are his experiences leading missions trips to Quito, Ecuador and Tijuana, Mexico where he explored what it means to be a part of the ending of human trafficking. He has a passion for missions, discipleship, sports and food!

Erin's story began across the ocean. Erin was raised (14 years) in Barcelona, Spain, the youngest of three daughters to her missionary, church-planting parents. She accepted Jesus at a very young age, attended high school at a boarding school for missionary kids in Germany and then decided to come to Asbury for college.

They have been married 9 years and feel that their marriage is meant to be a pointer to our human marriage with Jesus. Marriage is meant to reflect God's love for the Church and is hopefully a sign of God's faithfulness to each of us. They nurture their covenant with fun, a Rule of Life for faith, travel, time together and sports!

Dan has served as an Associate Pastor for the last 9 years at Sidney First UMC in Sidney, Ohio.