Dr. Ronnie Gaines is passionate about practical ministry, encouraging every student to pursue God wholeheartedly and to seek the Holy Spirit in the knowledge that will empower them to transform their churches and ministries. He is equally dedicated to seeing marriages transformed through the Word of God, helping couples realize their God-given potential and purpose to strengthen and transform their families.
Dr. Gaines was born in Fayetteville, AR, and became an Assembly of God pastor’s kid at age seven. At 21, after joining the United States Marine Corps, he left home and served honorably until 1987. Soon after, he married his high school sweetheart, whom he dated for six years, and now married for over 36 years. After working for 13 years as an Industrial Plant operator at an Anhydrous Ammonia and Nitric Acid plant, Dr. Gaines and his wife Mylisa ventured into entrepreneurship, running a successful Exterminating Company for 15 years before selling it ten years ago.
Dr. Gaines accepted his call to the ministry in 2000, co-pastoring with his father until 2006. In August 2007, he and Mylisa launched Extreme Church in Pryor, OK, a healthy church they still pastor today. While leading the church, he pursued academic studies in 2010, earning a Bachelor's in Theology with a concentration in local church pastor from Oral Roberts University (ORU) in 2012. He continued his education, earning a Master's in Marital and Family Therapy and a Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling, both from ORU.
In 2019, after receiving his Doctor of Ministry degree, Dr. Gaines began traveling internationally, conducting marriage conferences and training pastors and workers in several countries in West Africa and India. He is also the author of BFF: Becoming Your Spouse’s Best Friend Again, released in February 2022.
Dr. Gaines is a lifelong learner and an avid reader of personal development, leadership, church ministry, business, and discipleship resources, making his way through several books each year. He is passionate about the importance of quality sleep, regularly researching and teaching effective techniques for improving sleep. As an advocate for its benefits, Dr. Gaines makes sure that every new semester his students hear about the critical role sleep plays in their well-being and success. His dedication to learning and sharing knowledge extends beyond ministry, inspiring students to prioritize both spiritual and physical health, the whole person. Dr. Gaines is also a jogger and completed a marathon in 2023.
Dr. Gaines and his wife reside in Pryor, OK, where they raised their two children, Kimberlynn and Bo, who is married to Bailey. They are the proud grandparents of three grandsons: Brycen (15), Gideon (7), and Gabe (5). Both Kimberlynn and Bo are active and serve at Extreme Church. In his free time, Dr. Gaines enjoys camping, reading, and jogging.