Bay City Baptist Church of Green Bay, WI

MINISTRY TITLE: Family Ministries Pastor

HOMETOWN: International Falls, MN

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INTERVIEWER: Can you please give me a short life history so we can get to know you a little better? Maybe weave in how you ended up in the ministry.

PASTOR DAVE: I grew up on the Canadian border in a place called International Falls, Minnesota. We could actually see Canada when we stepped out the front doors of our church. It’s been called the “icebox of the nation,” very cold. I grew up playing lots of hockey and spending time outdoors. From there, college at Maranatha in Wisconsin, finished in 1983, then out to California for several years before I came Green Bay to serve here at Bay City Baptist in 1990. As far as how I ended up in the ministry, God brought me to it naturally as He gave me a love for people and His Word when I was in my early 20s. I’ve never been the same since and I could never do anything else, ever.

INTERVIEWER: What’s the best part of your role here? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

PASTOR DAVE: I get to serve God in the best and most unique organization on the planet: the church. And I get to help people understand God’s ways. There’s nothing better than helping people come to know God and how much He loves them and see how God’s way is always best for them. When I see people come to trust God with their whole being, wow, what could be better than that? Getting out of bed each morning is a privilege.

INTERVIEWER: Please tell me a little about your family.

PASTOR DAVE: Well, I don’t know what I’d do without my best friend Julie. She’s the only one for me. God matched us up perfectly and I'm glad she's chosen to live the rest of her life with me. I also have three children. Ashley is a junior studying nursing at a Christian college. Micah is a senior here at Bay City Baptist School and Katie is a freshman at our school here too. My family is an amazing gift of God to me and I love to be with them. The best times of life are when we’re all together. It doesn’t matter if we’re just eating dinner, if we’re together then life is good.

INTERVIEWER: When you get away from the office what do you like to do...hobbies, sports, whatever? No fact is too small.

PASTOR DAVE: When my day of ministry is finished I make a beeline for home. That’s where my family is and I want to be there with them. As far as hobbies and sports, I love doing stuff that’s fast, fun, and rough. I love to play hockey, surf, snowboard, wakeboard, wakesurf. Yeah, yeah, I know, “aren’t you a little to old for that?” Nope, not yet. I also enjoy playing the guitar, great sound. Ashley and I love to accompany Katie or Julie when they sing.

INTERVIEWER: Let’s talk food. OK, free dinner tonight at any restaurant...where would you go and why?

PASTOR DAVE: Tough question. Can I choose more than one? Ha ha. Well, we were recently given a gift certificate to Longhorn’s over on Oneida Street. Wow, that was really good. What guy doesn’t like a perfect steak and garlic mashed potatoes? I also love barbeque so Tony Roma’s would have to be on the list but haven’t been there in years. Oh, wait I almost forgot about Huhot, that Mongolian grill. When we get a chance to go there I must admit that I overeat. OK, is it lunch time yet, I’m getting hungry.

INTERVIEWER: Let’s talk vacations. So, you could go anywhere on the earth right now. Where would that be? You don’t have to say Jerusalem or anything spiritual like that.

PASTOR DAVE: Easy question. If the wind was off-shore and there was a big swell from the south or southwest, I’d be sitting on a surfboard in the Pacific Ocean waiting for waves at Topanga Point, Malibu, Leo Carillo, or C-Street. Wait that’s not vacation I guess. For vacation, I’d be at a secluded cabin on a lake somewhere with my family. We have the best times together alone on the boat.

INTERVIEWER: Of course I have to ask the obligatory “favorite color question.” Favorite color?

PASTOR DAVE: Tough question. I once “had” a favorite color when I was in elementary school: blue. I guess I still like it. It’s the color of the ocean and the summer sky. And it’s also the color of my skin when I get a bruise from doing something “rough and tumble.”

INTERVIEWER: What would you say is the best invention in the last 50 years?

PASTOR DAVE: Wow, I need a little time here. Hmmm. Maybe the Blackberry? I love to be efficient and the Blackberry really helps. The iPhone is pretty cool and so are all the Droid phones.

INTERVIEWER: What else do you want people to know about you?

PASTOR DAVE: I want them to know that God is the best thing that ever happened to me. Though I feel I love Him so little, I am amazed by His love and patience and kindness. I want to make my life count for Him and I’m so grateful I can serve Him. I want them to know He can be the best thing that ever happened to them too.

INTERVIEWER: Is there anything interesting that people might be surprised to know about you?

PASTOR DAVE: Hmmm. Ok, well, I have a twin brother. And, yes, he does look like me. That’s often the first thing people say when they find out I have a twin, they say, “Does he look like you?” I have a younger brother too and I wish both of them lived closer. I miss them. Let’s see, what else might be interesting? Well, I’m in my late 40s and I can still ride a handstand on a skateboard. We’ll see how much longer that can last.

INTERVIEWER: Thank you for your time today Pastor Dave.

PASTOR DAVE: My pleasure. I’m hungry, ready for lunch at Huhot?

Click here to go to the Family Ministries page.