Raised in Grand Island, Nebraska, Perry Gauthier graduated from Grand Island Senior High School and came to Lincoln in 1979 to study architecture at the University of Nebraska. He experienced a radical conversion to Christ during his freshman year; soon thereafter, he sensed a calling to ministry.

Perry graduated from UNL in 1984 in architecture magna cum laude and with highest honors with minors in Greek and Latin. He has received training in theology and ministry skills from various local churches, church ministries and parachurch organizations.

In 1990, Perry began his first vocational ministry position as a church planter, and since the mid-1990s Perry has been making disciples of Jesus Christ on college campuses throughout Nebraska, beginning at Lincoln Berean Church as a missionary/college pastor.

In 1998, Perry founded Living Word Ministries to continue his teaching, preaching, discipleship and leadership development ministries among college students and the churches of Lincoln and beyond. He joined Capitol Ministries in 2008 shifting the focus of his evangelism and discipleship ministries to the political arena.

Perry lives in Lincoln with his two boys, Gabriel Christian and Christian Josiah.