Gary Chapman was born in Champaign, Illinois, and grew up on a farm in Central Illinois. He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1968, and married Janet Kleinlein. They have two children and three grandchildren. He earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree in 1973 from Chicago Theological Seminary. Ordained a minister and teacher in the United Church of Christ, he served three successive Midwestern congregations during the next thirty-five years. For twenty-five years he has taught courses in philosophy, religion, and contemporary issues at Southeastern Community College in Iowa.