Dr. Gary Kirkwood, is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Central New Jersey, headquartered in Plainfield, New Jersey. Dr. Kirkwood assumed this position in January 2011. 

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Dr. Kirkwood earned his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Christian Ministry from Chesapeake College and Seminary in Ridgley, Maryland and received an honorary doctoral degree from Saint Thomas Christian College and Seminary. He also attended the Church of Christ Bible Institute, Zarephath Bible Institute and Trinity Theological Bible College.

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In 1981, he founded King’s Temple Ministries, to teach the principles of faith for living an abundant and victorious life through faith. As the CEO of King’s Temple Ministries, he established a private Christian school-serving student from nursery school through 8th grade, as well as World Harvest Communication, Inc., a full –time Christian radio station, and King’s Temple CDC, and Kingdom Kommunities, a neighborhood revitalization program established through his ministry, realizing a $5M home ownership program.

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Dr. Kirkwood serves as the President of the Greater Central Jersey Clergy Association. In addition to his work in the ministry, he was selected by the City of Plainfield to lead their Housing Redevelopment Project ---- and has served on local community banking boards including Sovereign Bank and Summit Bank (now Bank of America).