Dave has served as the pastor of First UMC since July 1, 2003.  He has previously served as pastor in United Methodist Churches in Warren and Eastpointe, MI.  Dave entered pastoral ministry after 13 years in full time music ministry, serving churches in Michigan and Illinois.  He received his Master of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois and his Master of Music from the University of Michigan.  Dave and his wife Terry, have two adult children, Carl and Mary.

“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Welcome to our web site. Although this tool is still a work in progress for us, I pray it will give you a warm introduction to this wonderful congregation.

Paul’s words to the Philippians quoted above provide a glimpse into how I understand my role as pastor. God’s good work among the people of this congregation began a long time before my arrival. God’s work among you will continue long after my time among you is finished. This is and will remain true for every congregation I serve. In coming to serve this church I have discovered a congregation of great spiritual depth and courage. I have discovered a congregation with a heart for giving the gospel of Jesus the Christ a tangible presence in this community. I have encountered people with an enthusiasm for being the body of Christ in a way that draws others to the faith. I am confident that God will continue to work through this congregation to reach the hearts of many until the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom of love and light.

I understand my role among you to be that of pastoral steward. I pray constantly that through my ministry God’s work within this congregation will be multiplied. I rejoice every time someone claims their part of the ministry to which we are called. I care deeply about this church, and I generally have strong convictions regarding the decisions we are called to make. But the church does not exist to care for me or for any other pastor appointed to its ministry. My job as pastor is to care for this congregation well during my service among you. My call is to work for the strengthening of this congregation in all aspects of its life. Whenever and however it comes, I hope to leave this congregation a stronger, more capable, more mature Christian community than the one I received. And I pray that whoever follows me will love this congregation enough to want to nurture it to a stronger, more capable and more mature Christian community than the one I will hand off.

I invite you to make this congregation your faith home as together we proclaim the gospel and work for love, service and justice.

Dave