|  I
grew up overseas as the third son of medical missionaries. I heard
about God most of my life, but mostly as a true and distant theology.
I spent much of my childhood, as many of us do, trying to understand
where I fit. As part of this pursuit, I invested much time in many
seemingly useless talents: amateur magic, unicycle riding, juggling...
Since running away and joining the circus didn't really seem to
be a good idea, particularly as I wasn't really good enough at any
one of these talents, I continued to pursue a place where I belonged.
Suffice it to say, none of these unusual talents did anything towards
helping me fit in better with my peers! What did make a difference,
however, was when I entered high school and God began to impress
on me that His love for me, and the sacrifice of His Son at the
cross, was not to be taken merely as theology, but as something
which had great personal application for me!
Gaining a Vision
While attending the University of New Mexico, I became
involved with a church affiliated with Great Commission
Ministries. I saw many people there for whom truth did
indeed make a personal difference. I found that with them
I actually enjoyed going to church, reading my Bible and
praying. I discovered the joy of a relationship with God.
Instead of hiding quietly in the back of a large church,
as was my habit, I found myself desiring and striving to
help others to discover this same joy. In 1990 God led
me into the pastorate at Rio West Community Church, an
affiliate of Great Commission Ministries.
Expanding the Vision
After more than a decade as a pastor, I have found that my
original vision to help others enjoy God, and my realization
that truth has a profound effect when seen in its personal
application, are very closely connected. Many people
with more knowledge, more experience, and more awareness
of their desperate need for God, have expressed to
me a great sense of disconnect, a great feeling of
futility. People of sincere faith in God’s general
power and goodness have routinely and regularly expressed
a great unbelief when it comes to His power and goodness
as it relates personally to them.
I began to experience my own sense of futility when it
came to being able to help people believe. In desperation
I began to cry out to God for answers. Painstakingly,
over the years, God used those around me to teach me
some Biblical principles: principles which provide hope,
encourage faith, and which even help one to believe.
Slowly a ministry, Anchors Away, began to develop for
the purpose of equipping people to recognize the deceptions
in their own life, and replace them with truth.
Pursuing the Vision
Rio West Community Church is, in many ways, my home and extended family. The lessons I continue to learn in ministering side-by-side with the people here are a great blessing. Through Anchors Away and Rio West Community Church, Great Commission Ministries has provided the best opportunity for me to touch as many lives as possible, to multiply these principles in as many churches as desire them and, in short, to share what I've learned in the local church with others beyond our church. Amazingly, I've even seen God use many of those seemingly useless talents to encourage and illustrate many sermon points! Becoming a full-time staff member with GCM has allowed me to pursue the development and implementation of Anchors Away, while still staying connected in an associate pastoral role with Rio West Community Church. However, in the last few years, my convictions about the unique anointing of the local church have deepened and I find Anchors Away filling a greater role as a resource for local churches rather than a ministry independent of the churches. Likewise I’ve become more convinced of how great the service is which the local church does for a community as it builds disciples.
Family
The Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area in New Mexico has been my home for 20 years. In 1989 I was extremely blessed to marry my college sweetheart, Ann. I’ve been multiply blessed since then with Lorien(13) , Lee (10), Joshua (8), Joseph (6 ) & Jubilation (4). This year, my wife and I began the process of adopting a child (a daughter, we think) from Ethiopia.
Life-ministry verses:
A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. (Proverbs 21:22)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free. (Galatians 5:1)
If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
David's Related Sites
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