Brent's Story

“You’re not like any other preacher I’ve met.”  More than one person has said this to Brent Gambrell when they find out he is an ordained minister.  Brent is certainly one of the most unique men you will ever meet.  Passionately teaching about God’s grace, Brent’s animated style has kept audiences attention across the country.   So many youth workers are amazed to find that their students actually paid attention during the service…the whole service!  And it’s not just because Brent uses diagrams to visualize his messages.  It’s because his animated style combines laughter and truth to bring God’s grace to life.  It’s because humor breaks down walls allowing God to speak to your heart.  It’s because schizophrenic people are just sometimes more interesting to watch.  

Always the class clown, Brent grew up in central Florida.  He always loved to be the center of attention and as he got older he became the center of the party.  Although he was saved at the age of nine, Brent walked away from his commitment and pursued a lifestyle of popularity, power, and wealth. In addition to the money…alcohol, drugs, and sexuality were very much a part of the lifestyle Brent was leading. By the age nineteen he was the owner of a “stripping” telegram service with offices across the state.

Brent had become a person of influence living the life he always wanted. Or at least it was the life he thought he wanted. At the height of his success, Brent began to despise what he saw in the mirror every morning.  He saw the indulgent lifestyle he was leading and began to realize what he could become if he continued living that way.   When Brent was 22 years old, he came to the end of himself. He ended up on the steps of a little church in Tampa, FL.  Alone on those steps at 2 am, Brent turned around to face Christ again. 

Brent’s life is a testimony of what God can do in a life that is surrendered.  It is in our weakness that He is strong.  Embracing this truth, Brent travels the country telling people about the transforming truths of the Bible.  When people are taught the acceptance of Christ, their identity and freedom in Him, they respond by following Jesus, not simply out of duty but out of pure joy. People will never change their behavior until they change their minds first.