My story
I came to faith in Christ in early childhood and was raised in Baptist churches pastored by my father. I attended Corban University (then Western Baptist College) in Salem, Oregon where I met and married Sue Marsh in 1977. In 1978 I became the youth and music pastor of a fast growing rural church in Washington state. During five and half years there my three children were born, and they are all now married and serving the Lord in their respective churches and caring for their own children.
After a very encouraging and educational first ministry, I was called to be the pastor of a small mission church in Oregon. After three years there, I accepted the call to a suburban church where I served for nearly 15 years then to another suburban church also for 15 years. During these years I also enjoyed speaking at camps and conferences both at home and abroad in ministry to both missionaries and nationals in various countries. My last full-time ministry was as the director of a network of Baptist churches which voluntarily cooperate in a variety of activities that enhance their induvial ministries.
Along with church ministry I have been blessed to serve as a volunteer fire fighter/EMT, a reserve police officer, and a chaplain to various first responder and law enforcement agencies. Dave served on many ministry leadership boards and is a Certified Biblical Counselor (ACBC). He holds degrees from Corban University and Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
After nearly 42 years of marriage, my wife Sue fought a 25 month-long battle with a rare form of lymphoma and was called home to heaven. In God’s grace He led me back to an old friend, Darlene, whose husband had been with the Lord for several years. We have now been wed for several years.
Education
Doctor of Ministry — 2024
Baptist Bible Seminary / Clarks Summit University
Master of Ministry — 2013
Baptist Bible Seminary
Bachelor of Theology — 1978
Western Baptist College
Bachelor of Science in Theology — 1977
Western Baptist College
Specialized training
Certified Emergency Medical Technician, Volunteer Fire Fighter, Reserve Police officer, Chaplain for Morrow County (OR) Sheriff, Tukwila (WA) Police & Fire, Valley Communication Center, Seattle-King County Disaster Team, King County Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
Certified Biblical Counselor since 2002 with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
Certified as a Master Chaplain by the International Conference of Police Chaplains, 2008
Ordained to the Gospel Ministry, May 1982
Licensed to Preach the Gospel, 1977