For the last 40 years, Garris has served the Church as a pastor, missionary, and elder. He has authored several books and writes daily on his blog and social media. Prior to  his entering the ministry, he served in law enforcement in two different agencies. 

Garris brought to the ministry a unique understanding of how to implement right tactics while working under a larger strategy. This has allowed him to move across all aspects of culture speaking the truth in love to individuals and those serving in the institutions of culture.

FAMILY

Garris met his wife of Jan in the early 70’s at while in college. They have two grown children they love dearly. Unknown to Garris at the time of his arrival in southern Oregon, he found out that his family was on the first wagon train into the Rogue Valley in 1846.

VISION

Garris desires for each person to discover the unique sound and content of their Spirit-empowered voice and with that voice, speak the truth in love to the spheres of cultural influence. His passion is for reformation. The evidence that true reformation is taking place is that each culture would be able to flourish and those called to bring reformation would do so seeking the highest good of each person with whom they interact. 

HISTORY

Garris was raised in the home of a building contractor in Los Gatos, California long before the valley became known as Silicon Valley. His childhood was spent running through the orchards that surrounded his childhood home. After leaving for college and eventually meeting his wife Jan, he returned to take a job with the local sheriff’s department. After 5 years in that position, the young Elkins family moved to Oregon to accept another position in a police department. In 1979, while working as a Robbery-Homicide Detective, Garris had a profound experience with the Lord and within two years the family moved to pioneer a church in Montana. Apart from several international postings after Montana, the Elkins call Southern Oregon home.