It is hard to let go of the very things you think define who you are. But when God changed what I thought was my direction for life, I discovered that His ways are always best.
Standing at the front of the church, closing out the Sunday service like I had done hundreds of times before, I suddenly froze. My mind went blank, and my heart started racing. I didn’t know what was happening. I called my wife, Pam, up to stand with me. She knew something was wrong the moment she saw my face. I took her hand, managed to finish the closing prayer, and dismissed everyone. Then I went to the board and said, “I need a break.”
That moment was the result of three years spent trying to carry the weight of grief while still leading others. In 2007, our oldest son was in a car accident. At 20 years old, we lost him. Through those hard times, I stayed in pastoral ministry, but it was incredibly hard trying to walk my family through the darkest time of our lives, while also pastoring a church that had become our extended family. My son had been deeply involved in our ministry. His absence was felt everywhere.
I had already been a pastor for nearly 23 years at that point. Even though my father and grandfather were pastors, it was a calling from God that made me follow the same path. We had started the church with six adults and six kids. By 2010 it had grown to nearly 500 people. Despite the success, I was worn down inside. Pastoring is a life of carrying other people’s burdens—being present in their pain, their struggle, their questions. And I was still in the middle of my own. That Sunday when I froze up, everything inside me said, enough. It was time to take care of my family’s needs.
I went on sabbatical, and Pam and I traveled to California. There was a ministry event going on, and one of my longtime mentors, Tommy Barnett, was speaking. We attended and during one of the sessions, I felt the Lord speak something simple but profound: Let go of the dreams. Trust me. That was the release I didn’t know I was waiting for. I leaned over to Pam and said, “I think I’m supposed to step away.” She fully supported my decision.
When we got home, I submitted my resignation. I didn’t know what was next—I only knew that I couldn’t keep leading in the same way I had before.
It was during that season that my brother-in-law invited me to work with him in real estate in Northern California. This was in the aftermath of the housing market crash, so we were working with distressed properties—foreclosures, short sales, helping families who were navigating serious financial loss. Real estate became an extension of my ministry.
Eventually, I returned to the Greater Seattle area of Washington, and found purpose in walking people through stressful, emotional transitions—helping them find clarity, peace, and a path forward. The same gifts I had used in pastoring translated to real estate. Clients often say, “When you walk in the room, there’s peace.” I know that is the Lord working through me.
Faith remains at the core of everything I do and my relationship with God hasn’t changed—it’s deepened. My title is different now, but my calling is still the same: I help people, I guide them, and I stand with them through the good times and the hard times.
Today, I work alongside my son-in-law, Kenton, as part of our real estate team, Legacy Group. The name reflects what we’re building for our business and the lasting impact we hope to have on our family and the families we serve. We believe real estate is a powerful tool for creating freedom, stability, and a future that can be passed on to the next generation.
Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients—from first-time homebuyers to seasoned sellers, from manufactured homes to million-dollar properties. I’ve developed a particular strength in helping people through complex and emotionally heavy situations. During the housing crash, I became a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE). I’ve walked many clients through short sales and foreclosures, helping them find relief when they were overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. I’ve always been able to stay steady in the middle of their storm, helping people move forward with clarity and confidence. I don’t shy away from challenging transactions. If anything, I tend to thrive in those situations—I bring calm, structure, and real solutions when people need it most.
I’m personally invested in every client’s goals and the relationship we build along the way. I give clients real numbers, and I make sure they’re equipped for the road ahead. That means everything from sound pricing strategies to full and detailed closing binders with every document organized and accessible—both in print and digitally. It’s not about impressing people. It’s about serving them well, making the process easier, and leaving them with peace of mind knowing that everything was taken care of properly.
Sincerely,
Gary Vanderhoff
REALTOR®
Cell (206) 659-1032
