Leadership Interview :: Paul Gagnon
As promised, here is my first interview. I decided to interview my bonus father of almost 14 wonderful years. Paul Gagnon along with my mother LaVerne Gagnon have modeled Christ and have shown what it is to be a leader. For one to be a successful leader, they must first be a successful follower of Jesus Christ, Thanks for loving me and showing me Jesus!
Brief Biographical portrait:
I am French-American ancestry, born & raised in Maine, 2nd of eight children, attended Roman Catholic Church, in 1969 graduated from High School in a small town of less than 1,000 people, Viet Nam veteran, married & divorced with two children 1973-1976, drug addict, immoral sinner & alcoholic, saved by Jesus Christ on Nov. 4, 1979 at Fort Myers Rescue Mission at 30 yrs. old, received B.A. from Hobe Sound Bible College in 1989 at 40 yrs. old, served as Florida prison chaplain from 1990 to 1996, as widower married a widow with one son from 1992 to present, have seven grandchildren, ordained minister in 1995, worked as case manager & counselor at mental health center from 2000 to present, received M.S. from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2003 at 54 yrs. old and presently working on hours for a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and attempting to whole-heartedly serve the Lord.
Church/organization that you are affiliated with:
I am affiliated and ordained with God’s Missionary Church and I attend Hobe Sound Bible Church
Leadership Interview Questions
Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Jesus Christ, of course, brought me full-salvation and present comfort.
Rev. Frank Norton was a down to earth preacher friend, who taught by modeling and using folksy proverbs.
President Robert Whitaker, (H.S.B.C.) was a visionary prophet in my eyes.
Rev. Edsel Trouten was my Prison Chaplain mentor and Theology Coach.
Dr. Henry Virkler was my Counseling Psychology professor at P.B.A.U.
Rev. Donald Winter who taught me humility and love for people.
What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
When I can connect with someone, make an impact and a difference in that person’s life, so that they are better-off after meeting me than they were before our acquaintance.
What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
When someone asks for help, but they don’t apply themselves when they do get the help that they were asking for.
What books have changed your life?
Walden Pond, by Henry David Thoreau.
Ego and Archetypes, by Carl Jung.
The Holy Way, by Dr. Dale Yocum.
The Gospel of the Comforter, by Daniel Steele
Life in the Spirit, by Dr. Richard S. Tayler
Evidence That Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell
Knowing God, by J. I. Packer
The Psychology of Redemption, by Oswald Chambers
The Question of God, Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr.
Competent Christian Counseling, by Dr. T. Clinton and Dr. G. Ohlschlager.
Intentional Interviewing & Counseling, by Allen E. & Mary Bradfore Ivey
And a few others…
What’s your biggest challenge as a leader?
To be relevant to those around me and to be a quiet and gentle, but irresistible influence on their beliefs and lives.
What goals do you have as a leader?
For the glory of the Lord to rest upon me and lead me through the maze of ideas and fascinations to completely fulfill His will for my moment of existence. To attract others to His light through my life-long journey.
What is the Conservative Holiness Movement’s greatest need?
To be genuine and live it as if they really believed it.
Such an honor to know Paul and to have seen God do so much in his life. Thank-you for sharing his story with us. He is a true inspiration.
Thanks for commenting one this. I consider it an honor to have Paul Gagnon as my bonus dad! He is a true inspiration to me.
Also, thanks for coming to the Gospel Center this past weekend. We all enjoyed your ministry!
I had no idea of your connection to Paul Gagnon. I think so much of him as well.
He has been my dad for 15 years now! Did you know him at HSBC?