Gifford has a Bachelor of Science (Christian Education) from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee (1993); a Master of Arts (Religious Education) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (1996), and a Masters (Divinity) from Acadian Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia (2004). 

Gifford is the founder and CEO of Atlantic Webfitters (2005), a small portal software consulting company specializing in web services, products, lead generation and workflow technology.

Gifford also co-founded Acts of Kindness Society (AOK); a non-profit organization (registered in Nova Scotia, Canada). With a mission to alleviate food insecurity, AOK volunteers have the luxury of becoming involved in the community at a very practical level.