Gary Fallesen

President

Residence: Hilton, N.Y. (on America's North Coast — 75 feet above sea level).

Personal: I am married and we have two children — a son, Jesse, and a daughter, Hayley Hope.

Occupation: Fisher of men. Previously, I was a sports writer at the daily newspaper in Rochester, N.Y. I'd been a sports writer since I was 7. But God reassigned my life's work.

How long have you climbed? I took up mountaineering when I went climbing with three experienced mountaineers on Rainier in 1996. Suffered altitude sickness — and loved it. Eighteen months later, I was standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro. That's where Climbing For Christ's story starts.

Type of climbing you do: Mountaineering, trekking, family hiking, bouldering.

Highlight of climbing career: Starting Climbing For Christ. 

How long have you been a Christian? I was raised in the church, but I did not develop a personal relationship with Christ until after I wandered away. I was lost until a Christian woman (my wife) found me and introduced me to Jesus in the early 1980s. I know what it's like to be separated from the Lord and to give your heart to Him.

Type of ministry you are blessed to serve in: One of the most unique ones — Climbing For Christ. I served previously as the founding drama director and a worship team member at my home church, Hope Lutheran in Rochester, N.Y. 

Favorite Scripture verse(s): Amos 4:13 and Psalm 121:1-2 — the life verses of this ministry.

Special “God moment” you'd like to share: “I was running in a winter snow storm, training for Kilimanjaro in 1998, when God spoke to my heart and told me to start a Christian climbing organization. Here we are!”