Don’t you wonder how people “find” Jesus? For everyone its different, this is my story…
I grew up in a loving household, a camping family that enjoyed adventuring in the great outdoors. We were in the Catholic Church and attended faithfully. I can remember being personally drawn to God in my early boyhood. I really wanted to connect to Him. I even had an experience in which I had become angry with my parents and ran-away from home (ever done that yourself?) and wandered into the church at around 11PM all alone. I threw myself on the church altar and cried out to God, “Help me!” And the peace of Christ came over me. I distinctly heard His voice, the voice of God. He simply said, “Go home David.” His voice was profound, peaceful and comforting. The memory of that voice is as clear today as the experience of 40 years ago.
But alas, as an all knowing 13 year old, I boldly told my parents that I had enough of church and didn’t want to attend anymore. “There are too many hypocrites there,” I said. But later realized that included me as well. I went through high school and college searching for answers.
I can remember the open-air preachers at San Diego State University. I intently listened to them, but could not figure how to “get” what they were talking about. Meanwhile, I took world religion courses and “tried on” seemingly every kind of religious group. But in doing so, I wasn’t hearing “truth” or at least not the same powerful message shared by the campus preachers.
My desire to lead and inspire others first emerged as chapter president of my fraternity, Sigma Nu. Fraternity life for me turned out to be much more than the wild party. In the historic materials of the organizations I learned that the founders were dedicated followers of Jesus Christ. The historic documents spoke of a bold faith. My heart wanted what these men had. Following graduation, I pursued Sigma Nu Fraternity International, becoming one of their National Field Consultants. I consulted chapters nationwide in recruiting and management.
That year, 1986, proved to be a crucible year in my life. Alone, in a different city every three days, I had the opportunity to examine what was my true nature. I could see my fallen character and need for forgiveness. I desperately longed for God. I recall calling out to God, while driving through Tennessee, “If you’re real, please show me who you are.” It was bold and transparent. And yet I couldn’t have dreamed of what was to follow. In every subsequent city that I visited with my work, people were coming and telling me about Jesus. I was hearing about Jesus everywhere.
My next career move was in conference sales at the Registry Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Keeping with God’s response to my prayer, my work teammates were all Christians and had an office bible study. At this time two mature Christian men began to meet with me regularly, patiently answering my questions. I attend church with them at Scottsdale Bible Church. It was there that I “heard from God” yet again. And this time it was not so compassionate. God’s voice was clear, “Stop denying me.” I obeyed. And from that day forward I began to follow Jesus. I turned away from my self-centered and self-directed life and became a Christ follower. But the story doesn’t stop there.
In response to my faith, I returned to San Diego and became a District Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. I really loved investing in families in such a positive way, and learned so much more about leadership and non-profit development. And yet, I soon realized that Scouting, while worthwhile and rewarding, would never address the reasons for the breakdown in our culture. I believed (and still do) that people don’t need programs or self-help, but need to be reunited with the living God, Jesus Christ.
God tugged again at my heart and I left the Boy Scouts for the Horizon School of Evangelism. The experience culminated in a month long backpacking and preaching tour of Mexico. I was witness to the power of God at work, with hundreds turning to Jesus at a time and people being physically healed. As you might imagine, this impassioned my heart for ministry.
I joined Campus Crusade for Christ, as Affiliate Staff, learning and practicing evangelism and discipleship. All the while I paid the bills and ministered in the market place, as a salesman in men’s furnishings at Nordstrom. The experience at Nordstrom helped me to develop an understanding of the importance of every Christian embracing their role as a priest or minister…wherever they are.
Drawn to the ministry of Dr. John Maxwell of Skyline Church, renowned church leadership author and speaker, I pursued further discipleship. His Associate Pastor, Dr. Tim Elmore (national author and speaker) took me under his mentoring for four years pouring into foundations of spiritual leadership. I found a heart match with his ministry and interned for him for four years. I had phenomenal experiences with the most awesome running mates in the faith. Together we did regular street evangelism, traveled around the world in short term evangelistic ministries, held many home church groups. My passion in living out the Christ directed life grew exponentially.
I also joined Kingdom Building Ministries (www.KBM.org) as a short-term missions leader and later became an itinerant speaker. As I traveled in India, Spain, Croatia, Peru, Mexico God expanded my passion to reach the world for Christ. This busy, but incredibly exciting time of my life unfolded God’s vision of pastoral ministry for me. Answering the call, I pursued my Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.
Returning from a Missions trip to Peru in 1995, I prayed "So Lord, what would you have me do now?" Upon my return, my good friend, Doug Jackson at Colorado Christian University invited me instead to teach and a year later to help build the International Medical Relief Organization Project C.U.R.E.(www.projectcure.org)—and we did…from 17 to 7000 volunteers annually. Mobilizing volunteers and working with people on both a heart and skill level and meeting not only our organization's goals but also developing my volunteers, personally helped prepare me for the delicate balance of pastoral ministry.
When I met my wife, Stanton, I realized that God had brought me the perfect life partner. Stanton had years of international evangelism, campus discipleship and church ministry. We share the same passion for advancing the Good News of Jesus Christ. My time had arrived to fulfill my calling in pastoral ministry. We both believed the local church was God’s most powerful vehicle for kingdom development and the best expression of our mutual gifting.
My vision and hope for First Baptist Church ministry is to build a vibrant community who loves God and our neighbors abundantly. My unique contribution as a minister of the Gospel is my own personal walk with God. I've ministered zealously all over the world and in many different contexts and I've also waited perplexed and impatiently on God, wondering when He was going to "use" me. This familiar journey of us all has opened my eyes with new clarity to the needs of the body for encouragement, direction and leadership in our everyday lives and relationships, whether with family, workmates, neighbors or the needy halfway around the world. I am committed to leading the saints towards a profound relationship with God in their daily lives. Through this intimacy, we are able to experience the power of God and be of eternal value in our own worlds.
Pastor David and Stanton live in Puyallup with their 2 young daughters.
