Gary graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene College (now University) in 1988 with a B.A. in Christian education and communications. He received a Masters of Divinity in missiology from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1993. Penney graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene College in 1986 with a B.A. in Christian education. She received an M.A. in religious education from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1992.
Prior to their appointment, the Sidles have pastored churches in West Virginia. Gary has served on the West Virginia North Home Missions Board and the NYI Council. Penney has served as a children’s pastor and Christian education director.
Gary received his call to missions in a revival service in 1983. God has called him to build His kingdom through the training and equipping of His servants in a cross-cultural context. Penney received her call to missions at the age of 16. She has spent most of her life preparing to fulfill this call to teach and train others to win the lost.
In Zambia, Gary is Extension Education Coordinator for the Africa Southeast Field and Zambia Mission Coordinator, which involves him in church growth and development. He also works with the Work & Witness and JESUS film teams. Gary authored a mission book on Zambia titled “The Smoke That Thunders”.
Penney is the Zambia Child Sponsorship Coordinator, teaches extension education classes, and is the Africa Southeast Field Children’s Ministry Coordinator.
They have three children: Lindsay, Alyssa, and Josiah