CEO and Co-Founder

Dr. Daniel Gilbert is passionate about the transforming power of God to help people enter into a deeper relationship with the Triune God.  As a pastor, theologian, international speaker, author, humanitarian, ministry consultant, and coach, Dr. Gilbert is dedicated to teaching biblically-based principles to empower people to go deeper in God, grow stronger in life and go higher in their destiny.

Dr. Gilbert has been serving in ministry for over 37 years. An ordained minister since 1992 with the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Gilbert is the Co-Founder and CEO of EmPowered Living International Ministries, a non-profit ministry to help educate, equip, and empower leaders to transform communities through sound theology, the power of the Holy Spirit, and humanitarian action. He also has founded ELIM Theological Institute, a multi-site Bible School, based in Gem, Siaya County, Kenya, with sites in Kisumu County, Siaya Town, & now in Southeastern India.  ELIM Theological Institute trains village pastors in theology, biblical studies and pastoral leadership.

Dr. Gilbert also is the Director of the Masters’ Program and an Assistant Professor for the School of Divinity at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition, He has served in the pastorate as an Assistant Pastor in Aberdeen, Scotland, a Church-planter in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and Senior Pastor in Los Angeles, California. He served as Professor of Theology and Church History and the Dean of Students at The King’s University in Los Angeles.

He holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, as well as a M.Div. from Regent University, and a B.Sc. in Business from Mars Hill University.  It was at Regent that Dr. Gilbert studied under Dr. J. Rodman Williams, in whom the Chair of Renewal Theology is dedicated to.  Daniel became Dr. Williams’ Graduate Assistant for over three years and was mentored by Dr. Williams for over 19 years.  Along with this blessing, Dr. Gilbert spent four months for his pastoral internship in Seoul, South Korea serving with Dr. Yonggi Cho at Yoido Full Gospel Church, one of the largest churches in the world. 

His first book, The Big 5: Discovering the Five Foundations Every Christian Needs to Know  (Foreward by Dr. Pat Robertson).  His Course, “The Power of the Blood” is coming out soon. 

Dr. Gilbert also hosts "EmPowered Living Today" on his YouTube Channel.

Dr. Gilbert has a passion for the present-day movement of the Holy Spirit, for revival and for helping young men and women grow in sound theology with the power of the Holy Spirit!  Dr. Gilbert is up-to-date with current affairs and politics both nationally and internationally and has had a heart for a spiritual awakening for our country.

Dr. Gilbert has been married to Mary Beth, his college sweetheart since 1985 and who also is an international speaker and contributing author in Women of Rock.  They have one precious daughter, Maria.  They have ministered in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.  They currently reside in Virginia.

Co-Founder and Administrator

Mary Beth Gilbert is passionate about encouraging women to fulfill their destiny in the Lord. She desires to "come along-side" women to help them grow in different areas of their lives.  Married for over 32 years, Mary Beth uses her knowledge and wisdom in helping other women walk through different seasons of their lives.  She loves to encourage mothers in biblical and practical ways of caring for their children, including the balance of working and mothering.  Mary Beth has served in the ministry for over 25 years, even as she has worked in the business and academic worlds.  Mary Beth is a National and International Christian Women's Speaker and Bible teacher ministering throughout the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Argentina and Kenya, Africa.  She is a Contributing Author to "Women Who Rock". She is married to Dr. Daniel Gilbert and has a daughter and recently moved from Southern California to Virginia. Originally from the West Palm Beach, FL area.

Photo by Deidhra Fahey - LA

ELIM Theological Institute Administrator

Pastor Paul Tawo has been the Administrator for EmPowered Living in Kenya since 2012, which includes his role at ELIM Theological Institute.

Pastor Paul has been in the ministry for over 25 years and has pastored two churches, where he is currently a Senior Pastor.

He is the founder and current President of Christian Ministers Fellowship that is unitifying pastors and churches in the Siaya region of Kenya.

Pastor Paul lost his wife of 20 years two years ago and is raising his three precious daughters.

Director of Ebenezer Children's Home and Word Academy.

Teaching Associate

Dr. Melissa Davis is passionate about equipping men and women for their God-given service to the Lord. Due to her ministry background, she has a particular passion for equipping men and women to be able to interpret and apply God's living Word in their lives and ministry. She has served in church and parachurch ministries for over 15 years in Canada, the United States, and overseas. In the local church, she's served as an Associate Pastor, Pastor of Discipleship, director of Adult Education, Elder, and worship team member. Since 2017 she has been a team member of Women's Discipleship International, discipling women pastors and lay leaders in the Bible, theology, leadership, and discipleship. In 2023, she travelled to Kenya for the first time as a Teaching Associate with ELIM.

Melissa earned her M.Div from ACTS Seminary in Langley, British Columbia, and her Ph.D. Regent University, where she serves as an adjunct faculty member teaching hermeneutics and systematic theology. Her research interests include biblical theology, systematic theology, theology of worship, and spiritual formation. She and her husband, Mac, live in Virginia Beach with their German Shepherd, Tori. They are puppy raisers with Blue Path Service Dogs, an organization that raises, trains, and places service dogs with children who have received an Autism diagnosis.

North American Humanitarian Coordinator

Maria has a passion to help those more vulnerable to help them with a hand up.  She coordinates with the humanitarian ministries EmPowered Living has strategic partnerships.  She also participates in serving in these ministries as a representative of EmPowered Living to help those who need the love of God, education, and help to overcome poverty, abuse, addictions, and other issues they may struggle with.

Maria is currently a student at Virginia Tech.

Orphanage Coordinator & Mission Co-Coordinator

Perez grew up in Ngiya-Siaya- Kenya, around 40 miles northwest of Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city and located on the shore of Lake Victoria.  Her father was a renowned medicine man and witchdoctor who had 17 wives and over 45 children. In 1998 Perez was born again and joined African Word Ministries (AWM), which runs the children’s home, in 1999 as a volunteer. She would later become the manager of Ebenezer Children’s Home and the Children’s church Pastor. She is also the administrator of African Word Development Organization an NGO which runs alongside with AWM .Many of her family are born again, but a few are still involved in the witchcraft, as Perez says “it brings a lot of money because it’s an easy job…people are looking for solutions, people are looking for answers…we as Christians need to get serious because people are looking for answers and people are looking for answers in the wrong places.”

Both Perez and John have a strong desire to raise awareness of the needs of the children in Siaya, Kenya and to raise support to make an eternal difference in their lives. Ebenezer children’s home takes needy children and trains them to be mature responsible Kenyan citizens who can bring a change and  a sustained impact in the society. Touch a life change a life.

Orphanage Coordinator & Mission Co-Coordinator

Perez grew up in Ngiya-Siaya- Kenya, around 40 miles northwest of Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city and located on the shore of Lake Victoria.  Her father was a renowned medicine man and witchdoctor who had 17 wives and over 45 children. In 1998 Perez was born again and joined African Word Ministries (AWM), which runs the children’s home, in 1999 as a volunteer. She would later become the manager of Ebenezer Children’s Home and the Children’s church Pastor. She is also the administrator of African Word Development Organization an NGO which runs alongside with AWM .Many of her family are born again, but a few are still involved in the witchcraft, as Perez says “it brings a lot of money because it’s an easy job…people are looking for solutions, people are looking for answers…we as Christians need to get serious because people are looking for answers and people are looking for answers in the wrong places.”

Both Perez and John have a strong desire to raise awareness of the needs of the children in Siaya, Kenya and to raise support to make an eternal difference in their lives. Ebenezer children’s home takes needy children and trains them to be mature responsible Kenyan citizens who can bring a change and  a sustained impact in the society. Touch a life change a life.