Gary founded Prepare Ministries in 2001 with a vision to mentor college students toward discovering a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.  Before that, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities and later attended Dallas Theological Seminary.  Gary served as a pastor in Northfield, Minnesota, for 22 years before pursuing campus ministry.  He retired from his pastoral position in 2000 when he felt God's call to mentor college students full time.  Gary's ministry started when students at the University of Minnesota at Mankato asked him to speak at their campus.  He soon had a small team of volunteer leaders, and together they started Prepare Ministries with a vision to reach many more campuses.  Gary and his wife Stella met in Miami while serving with Campus Crusade for Christ.  They were married in 1971 and now have four grown children and eleven beautiful grandchildren.  Gary loves playing with his grandchildren, inventing games and being a kid himself.  He enjoys fly fishing and has many pseudonyms, including "Bumpa," "the Jolly Green Giant," and the "King Kong of Ping Pong."  He is also a good eater.  Stella is a good baker.  That's why Gary says, "we're such a great team!"  She was recognized as one of 100 finalists in the Pillsbury national bakeoff for three consecutive contests.  Stella is also an active part-time staff and supporter for Prepare.  She loves God and is devoted to prayer.

David and Catherine have worked full-time in college ministry since Pastor Gary Gilbertson handed over leadership of the already established Bible Study at St. Olaf College, in January of 1999. Since then three more campuses have been added to the weekly itinerary, Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, Luther College, in Decorah IA, and Carleton College, in Northfield, MN. David has a passion for teaching the Bible and for leading mission trips.

David has led over 50 groups of students on International trips over the last 35 years, mostly to Mexico, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where he has developed many beautiful and lasting relationships with pastors and their congregations.

Catherine loves meeting with women on campus, or in their home, over a cup of tea. She focuses on the two campuses in Northfield, whereas, David travels and teaches at all four of the campuses. Catherine looks forward each Friday to the Bible study for Carleton students that is hosted in their home. Catherine greets students with a hearty “Shalom” and then feeds them dinner and dessert. David and Catherine treasure the “family feeling” eating and conversation around the table together creates.

Catherine’s other ministry passion is reaching the nations. Catherine has been teaching English to Somali women in the nearby city of Faribault, where more than 5,000 Somali live.

While in prayer during the summer of 2024, Catherine felt the Lord was nudging her to start a support group for all the International Women at St. Olaf college. With David’s strong support, she has hosted many activities and outings, as well as met with students individually, to help with practical needs and show compassion while they are so far from their families. This year has been a steep learning curve for them, but David and Catherine are all the more convinced that this is to be a growing focus for their family and ministry.

Catherine also facilitates two prayer groups each week, a Mom’s In Prayer gathering on Wednesday morning and a Prayer for the Nations gathering at St. Olaf on Thursdays.

When asked about their many years in college ministry, David and Catherine say,

“It has been so full and rewarding!  We are blessed to be like a “mom” and “dad” to many students.  It is a privilege to point students to the One Who is the Answer in this challenging world.”

Donna got married to Waihon on July 27, 2013 after they met through Prepare Ministries in 2011. Waihon was born and raised in Malaysia and has three wonderful children Ellie, Joseph & Daniel. Donna joined the Prepare team in the middle of 2011 as a part-time staff. Having served in South Texas, Mexico, and Ireland, Donna is an experienced missionary. As a long-time friend of Gary’s, she describes her time with him in college as very transformational, saying, “As a 1996 graduate of St. Olaf College, I was deeply impacted by Pastor Gary’s Wednesday night student bible study during my years there. This was a time when my hunger for Jesus, and my close fellowship with other students who were passionate about Him, led me to encounter God in a whole new way." Donna devotes a lot of time to Prepare and loves to minister to and disciple international and local students with the hope to partner with churches here to reach the nations that God has brought to the U of M. while teaching piano lessons part time.  Donna is also a very gifted musician, she has a heart to glorify God in worship.