CHRISTIAN CENTRAL ACADEMY
Pre-K-12 Private College-Preparatory School39 Academy Street Williamsville, NY 14221
Gary Villa
When Gary Villa reflects on his years at Christian Central Academy, what rises to the surface isn’t a list of accomplishments or singular milestones—it’s the people.
“It wasn’t the moments that shaped my time,” he says. “It was the people.”
Gary graduated in 1991 with memories shaped by teachers, coaches, classmates, and meaningful experiences that still linger in his heart. “Ruth Adams saw me with greater clarity than I saw myself,” he shares. “Ray Schultz was kind, patient, and gentle with kids who didn’t deserve his grace. His example lingers.” He fondly remembers names like Diane Dawley, Kate Franklin, Deone Drake, Dale Fillmore, Barbara Purvis, and the ever-kind office staff—Mrs. Voglino, Mrs. Gummo, and the school nurse Mrs. Volkert—each one leaving an impression of care, support, and faith in him.
Following graduation, Gary spent some time trying to figure out what was next. He soon felt a deep call to ministry and enrolled at the Moody Bible Institute, where he earned his B.A. in International Ministries. That calling only grew stronger, and after time spent working in business, he returned to school and completed an Interdisciplinary M.A. at Wheaton College, focusing on Church History and Spiritual Formation. “The story is better than the bare details,” he says. During this time, while working at Borders Books & Music in Wheaton, Gary met Kira—the woman who would become his wife.
Their marriage eventually brought them to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Kira is now tenured faculty in applied economics, and Gary serves as an associate pastor at Refuge Church. They’ve been married for over 20 years and have two sons: Aidan, a sophomore Electrical Engineering major at NM Tech, and Donovan, who is currently in 6th grade.
Gary’s journey in ministry has included roles as a college missionary, Ivy League chaplain, pastoral assistant, and spiritual director. “I’ve been a Bible college student, theology graduate student, college missionary, pastoral assistant, spiritual director, Ivy League chaplain, assistant pastor—and there’s probably a title or two I’ve forgotten,” he says. “Through all of it, I’m still learning how to be a faithful disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.”
While Gary was shaped by many experiences, one enduring memory is his time on the basketball team. He wasn’t the star player, but he loved being part of a team. “Whatever my role, it was the best to be part of that team and be led by Coach Mac,” he recalls. Years later, while visiting CCA, Coach Mac spotted him in the hallway and held up seven fingers:
“GARY VILLA! 7PTS against GOW!” Gary laughs. “It was my best scoring effort ever—and he didn’t forget.”
He also shares how teachers influenced his academic and spiritual growth. “Kate Franklin introduced me to capital-W words, even if I hated vocab tests. Words have been my friend ever since.” He credits Diane Dawley with challenging him to distinguish between opinion and fact in writing—a life skill he continues to value. “Seeds were planted in me that grew into a love for literature and poetry, for stories of all kinds.”
To today’s students, Gary offers advice filled with heart and wisdom:
“Love promiscuously until you find your ‘yes’.” Not about people, he clarifies, but about everything good and true in the world—beauty, art, science, language, music, sport, philosophy. “Be a learner, a beginner, a curious outsider often. Be awkward and unashamed. It’s so good for you,” he says. And perhaps most memorably:
“Anyone can be extraordinary. Someone still has to do the dishes.” Gary encourages students to find joy in life’s small duties—“you’ll never be without a calling.”
Today, Gary continues to serve his local community in Albuquerque with humility and heart. His favorite weekly commitment is partnering with a local organization to serve meals to the city’s large homeless population. “It’s so uncomplicated,” he shares. “I show up, throw on an apron, and sling food through a cafeteria line to 200+ hungry and grateful people.” It’s a moment where faith becomes action—and where the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40 ring deeply true:
“Whenever you fed someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”
Gary’s story is one of quiet faithfulness, rooted in compassion, learning, and love for others. He lives out the lessons that began forming in the classrooms, hallways, and relationships at CCA—and continues to reflect the heart of a life shaped by truth, service, and grace.