David was raised on a small farm near Olivet, S.D. He attended Olivet grade school, Menno High School and graduated from South Dakota State University in 1978 with a BS degree in both Biology and Dairy Manufacturing. After graduation, he served on active duty in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, including a tour in Korea. In 1983 he began working for Kraft Foods in New Ulm, MN as a Food Technologist and later as Quality Control Supervisor. It was during his time in New Ulm that he met Evonne and they were married Oct 5th, 1985. In 1989 they moved to Beaver Dam, WI where he began working for Beatrice Cheese as a Quality Assurance Manager. Undoubtedly the biggest event of their time there was the adoption of their daughter, Kimberly. She was born Nov 9th, 1995 and came home to live with them Dec 26, 1995.
Sensing God’s leading to move back to South Dakota, primarily to be closer to aging parents, Dave and family moved back to the Sioux Falls Area in October of 1998. While not sensing a clear call into pastoral ministry, Dave did sense a leading to attend seminary for more biblical instruction and training. He began attending North American Baptist Seminary (now Sioux Falls Seminary) and graduated May 2001 with a Masters in Educational Ministries (2-year degree). While in seminary, God confirmed through Exodus 3:12 that Dave was being “sent” even though the ‘how, when and where’ might not be clear. The affirmations will come later. “Just trust Me now.”
In August of 1999 he began interning here at Faith Baptist Fellowship. February 2001 he was hired as a part time Pastor of Christian Education and Assimilation. In June 2004 Dave was officially called as full time Associate Pastor. Since that time Dave has taught numerous Sunday Faith University classes, Wednesday night adult Bible studies, Saturday morning men’s Bible studies and home Faith Groups.
Pastor Dave now serves as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship/Operations which is a full-time position, reporting to the Senior Pastor and the Elder Council. He oversees the adult discipleship aspects of the Discipleship ministry group, as well as Operations oversight. The adult discipleship ministries consist primarily of Faith University (Adult Sunday School) and Faith Groups. The Operations oversight involves overseeing the operational effectiveness in the areas of finances and personnel, property management, and facilities maintenance.
When asked about what he does in his ‘spare time’, his first response might be, “What is that?” But he does enjoy exercise, walking and biking. He also enjoys reading, spending time with his family, working on home improvement and landscaping projects when time, money and energy allow.