Michael and Esther Gray founded Grace Extended Ministries International to help bring the global church together into a deeper understanding of the Great Command and the Great Commission through knowing God intimately. We believe that intimacy with God can only be obtained through an ongoing relationship with the Father through prayer. As such, prayer serves as the foundation of this ministry.

As we grow deeper in our love for God, we acknowledge His cry in our hearts to reach out to all peoples. Michael and Esther work with churches and leaders worldwide, with particular emphasis in East Africa and Eastern Europe, to train and equip others to spread the gospel message of Jesus through a greater heartfelt understanding of love for our Savior and the powerful movement of His Holy Spirit.

Michael has a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Willamette University and a Masters of Divinity degree from George Fox University Seminary. He is a former business owner and served in the pastoral ministries in the US for many years. Today, Michael serves as the Executive and International Director and as Pastor of Prayer and Evangelism for Grace Extended Ministries International. He is an international speaker, teacher, equipper, and evangelist. He holds a great vision for both the power and intimacy of prayer, a passion for both missions and evangelism, and a deep love for the hurting and oppressed people of the world.



Esther has several years of full time missions experience and is devoted to prayer, teaching, and to reaching the world for Christ. She and Michael normally travel and serve as a team. As such, their very presence together serves as a great witness to marriages and families abroad. They will often be asked to put on marriage seminars in the nations they visit. A former teacher, both in the U.S. and overseas, Esther has a passion to teach and disciple both children and women. Michael and Esther have two grown married children who share similar passions for worldwide ministry.


Peter Carlson is the co-director of the Salem, Oregon House of Prayer. He also directs many state wide and US prayer campaigns and strategies. He is a passionate and gifted intercessor and international teacher. Peter is involved in several local and international prayer groups and serves as the International Prayer Director for Grace Extended Ministries International. In his role with GEM, he coordinates and directs international prayer activities in the many nations where GEM has a presence. He has been instrumental with GEM's prayer development during both the 2010 Vancouver, Canada, Winter Olympics, and the 2014 Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympics. Peter and his wife LaCheri have two grown children.