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  • God With Us

    God With Us

    Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23).

    God with us! These are beautiful words to our ears and our hearts during these difficult times in our nation and our world. Can you imagine what 2021 would have been like if God had not been with us?

    On a starry, chilly night Jesus was born in a manger. Through Jesus’ birth God was saying many things to mankind. He was saying, “I love you. I want to save you. I am with you.” He is still saying that today. Oh, we really need God with us!

    Think about Moses in the wilderness with the people of Israel. Their journey to the Promised Land was stalled. Moses was frustrated to the point of venting his frustration to God. Again, God promised that His presence would go with them. Moses answered, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Remember the American Express slogan ”Don’t leave home without it?” Our motto should be, “We will not go anywhere without God.”

    Let us see Christmas for what it really is. The gifts, the lights, and all the trappings are beautiful, but there is so much more to Christmas than those things. Christmas is a celebration of the fact that God reminded us once again that His presence is still with us despite our failures and our weaknesses. So, as we spend time with family, open gifts, eat great meals and thoroughly enjoy the seasons — let us hold His words dear to our hearts: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Remember the name: Emmanuel, God with us.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • The Savior For All People

    The Savior For All People

    And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes Yea have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)

    Imagine the honor and privilege that Simeon experienced! He actually experienced holding the Savior of the world in his arms. He had been promised that he would see Jesus. Now it had finally happened.

    In studying Scripture, we find that God chose to reveal Himself through the people of Israel. Israel would not be alone in that revelation. Through Jesus all nations of the Gentile world would have an understanding of God also. As Simeon said, “He is a light to lighten the Gentiles and He is the glory of Israel.”

    Truly – in the person of Jesus – God’s salvation has been prepared in the face of all people. Years later, when seeing Jesus approach, John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” Aren’t you glad that Jesus came to earth for all people?

    During this Christmas season, let us remember that He is the Savior for all people. That includes me; that includes you.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Mountaintops and Valleys

    Mountaintops and Valleys

    Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:6-7).

    For seven years, I lived in Tucker County — one of the most beautiful places in West Virginia. Often I stopped at Centennial Park on the way to or from Davis. I simply walked to the overlook to view the mountains and valleys that stretched for miles. It was peaceful there because all you could see was beauty. This scenario is so similar to our mountaintop experiences in life.

    Isn’t it wonderful when everything is going right in life? Everything is beautiful and there is no ugliness to be seen. The mountaintop experience is great, but — just like physical mountains — there is very little growth there. It is so different in the valley.

    The valley has its own dangers for sure. In the valley, floods occur. In desert valleys, the heat is formidable and little water can be found. Yet, it is in the valley that most plant and tree growth takes place.

    I Peter 1:6-7 is referring to the valley experiences that we face spiritually. These are the times when our commitment to God and our faith in Him is severely tested. If you think about it, life is filled with mountaintop and valley experiences. On the mountaintop, we rejoice at how beautiful life is. In the valley, we learn we can overcome trials so that our faith becomes stronger as life goes on.

    So, if you are going through trials right now, take heart. God has not forsaken you. It is not the end of the world for you. Keep praying and stay in His Word. Your faith is growing. Notice that I Peter 1:6 uses the phrase, “though now for a season.” Trials only last for a segment of time. The trial will end and you will be stronger than ever.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Greatly Blessed Is the Five Loaves Ministry, and More Is To Come!

    Greatly Blessed Is the Five Loaves Ministry, and More Is To Come!

    I started a food pantry, called the Five Loaves Ministry, at my church over a year and a half ago. It was a vision that God put in my heart four years ago. Although it wasn’t the right time four years ago, it certainly came at the right time. Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing but I knew God had a plan.

    My team and I started with very little money, but a big dream. We opened with $500 worth of food. That may seem like a lot, but when feeding needy people, it’s really not. 

    The first time we opened we had approximately 15 people. I thought to myself, “Wow God! Thank you for sending these people to us, but we want more.” And you know what? It grew beyond our wildest dreams! 

    God blessed this ministry. We prayed for everything we needed and God provided. This food pantry has a lot of working people behind it. They are a very blessed bunch of people that I am blessed to have on my team. They help me in every way. 

    However, over the summer, the funds were getting low. All we could do was leave it in God’s hands. But we had heard about a funding program through our city. A lady I knew helped us apply for it. And what do you know: God answered and we were able to be given a $5,000 check! We all cried because we knew that without God in the middle we wouldn’t have gotten it. 

    Then in July we applied again for the same funding program. But this time, we asked for a larger amount, again leaving it in God’s hands. We knew He had our back. We handed in the paperwork and were told that the amount that we had asked for would probably not be granted, but that we would be given something. I said, “It doesn’t matter how much we get, any amount would help,” and I thanked them. 

    As days turned into a week, turned into two weeks of waiting for an answer, I finally got a message from the lady who originally helped me apply. She said, “I know how much money you got.” We got the full amount that we had asked for — $15,000. What a blessing! We give God all the glory! 

    We have also been blessed through donations from other places and people of our church, and I can’t thank them enough. We went from feeding 15 people to feeding over 3,000 last year. And with the new year to come, we are praying for bigger things to pass. We know God will provide. 

    I just want to say thank you to everyone who makes this possible every month. We are a team to do God’s work. 

    A few months back, I handed out papers to people who come to my food pantry and I said, “What does the food pantry mean to you?” The letters that I received back said:

    “It really means a lot. We are able to get food if we are in need. The workers are all awesome and we are happy that we have them.”

    “The food pantry has been a blessing to our family and I thank you for everything you all are doing for our community.”

    “This means a lot to me…Without the food pantry we would go hungry.”

    My heart grew a thousand times that day, because this is why I do the food pantry. I’ve been where they are at a time in my life. I love them all as if they were my own family.

    Like I say to many people, we are only a paycheck away from being in a food bank line. 

    Please donate to your local food bank!

    From my kitchen to yours, may God bless you and the New Year, and may you all have a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!

    In addition to providing delicious recipes on her Faith and Food blog, Tina Rucker is a proud mom to her 18 year old son, happy wife to her husband Joel of six years, and the spearhead of the Five Loaves Food Pantry ministry in her local church, open twice a month. 

    Tina has worked in the food industry for over 25 years, and has a heart and a passion to serve, feed, and provide for those in need.

  • Bondservant for Christ

    Bondservant for Christ

    And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 7:22

    For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. -1 Peter 2:16

    So here’s the thing about God’s Kingdom and commandments: they are backwards in regards to what the world thinks. To read the above verses may scare you a little, but being a slave of Christ isn’t like being a slave in this world. You see, when you lose your worldly life for Christ, you actually gain eternal life and all the blessings that come with it. In the world, it would be terrible to become a slave, but in the Kingdom, it’s the most high honor. 

    Everything in God’s Kingdom is backwards from what we know: finances, blessings, favor, surrender, servanthood, being the least of these, etc. In the world we are taught to be first at everything. Get the most promotions, make the most money, get the most recognition and praise and then we will be happy. But God tells us to lay down our lives and that the first will be last and the last will be first. This is why the Word tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds because we cannot fully grasp this until we see with spiritual eyes. 

    It took me a long time to fully surrender to the Lord and the authority that He placed in my life. I had an issue with surrender and vulnerability because I had been hurt and betrayed by those I loved most. It took me 29 years to give it all up and to begin receiving everything the Lord has for me. I couldn’t understand how being a slave to Christ was a good thing! In the world, slaves get abused, mistreated, spit on, and used more than any human should be. Yet in the Kingdom, being a slave for Christ is the best title we could ever behold. 

    You see, Jesus became a bondservant for us, first. He had all authority in Heaven and on Earth and He surrendered it fully for us. He became the least of these so that we could become great. He became fully man so that He could understand everything we would ever go through and experience. He gave up His comfort, His crown, and He replaced it with an unbearable death and a crown of thorns. He gave His very life so that He could save ours. 

    Being a slave for Christ may cost you every worldly thing, but it will bring you every good and perfect gift for eternity. The blessings the Lord pours out on those who are willing to give it all is unmatched and incomparable. We are only losing things that never would have filled us in the first place, and the crazy thing about surrender is that the Lord blesses us beyond measure when we finally do it. The Lord isn’t asking you to be a bondservant so that you suffer and walk around poor and lowly. He’s asking you to surrender so that He can give you everything He died for you to have! We only give up meaningless worldly things in order to gain every perfect Kingdom thing. It doesn’t make normal sense, but oh when you do it, you will truly taste and see that the Lord is good. Run to Him, He’s waiting for you patiently.

    Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years. 

    At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.

    Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.

    She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!

    To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”

  • This Season of Giving

    This Season of Giving

    I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

    One Christmas song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” What makes the Christmas season so special? Is it the lights, tinsel, and Christmas trees? No, it is special because it is the season of giving.

    When I was a child, I rarely had money to buy presents for anyone at Christmas. I do remember one year that I was given money to do just that. With Mom, Dad, three older brothers, three older sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, I couldn’t buy very much. However, I was so happy to be able to do it! A few scarfs, pairs of socks and packages of handkerchiefs later – I thought I had spent a fortune. It was the best Christmas of my childhood days. The blessing was in the giving.

    After all, isn’t giving what our Heavenly Father did for us when He sent Jesus to be born in a manger, to die on a cross, and be resurrected from a tomb? Did you know there was a blessing for our Savior when he gave His life for us? Isaiah 53:11 says, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” Jesus gave us the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and opportunity to really know God. It cost Him more than a few dollars; it cost Him His life. He was pleased to unselfishly give those gifts.

    During this season, you may be inclined to give extra to your church, a charity or an individual in need. You will give gifts to family and friends as you do every year. Enjoy the giving! Also, take time to remember that God started this season of giving.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Stay the Course, Do Not Jump Ship

    Stay the Course, Do Not Jump Ship

    “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

    “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” – Isaiah 60:22

    “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9

    I know the battle is intense right now. I know you’re being held to the fire on both sides. Now is not the time to jump ship and get off course though. Now is the time to seek the Lord through it, let Him change your heart, and see what He’s trying to show you. The Lord has been refining us, and the enemy has been trying to stop us. But today I come with good news! The kairos time is here — the blessing and harvest time is here! The enemy always seems to fight the hardest when you are about to level up or step into new blessings and plans the Lord has for you. Now is the very time to press in harder, fight even stronger, and get on the offensive team. Fast, pray, seek, and then fast, pray, and seek even more. 

    The Lord isn’t coming back for a bride with spots or wrinkles. The Lord is coming back for a bride who stood their ground and rose up to spread the Good News. We are warriors and soldiers for the best Kingdom that has ever been — the Lord’s Kingdom. If you know any true thing about Jesus, you know the ending of the story… the part where Jesus and His disciples WIN! We don’t need to live in fear and we don’t need to get panicked from watching the news. We can turn off the news, get into the Word, seek the Lord’s face, and fully and completely trust and follow what He says. This is why the Word says we walk by faith not by sight. We have to deny our flesh and CHOOSE to fight the good fight of faith. This is why we cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We need to know that we know that we know the Word. 

    As my sweet friend Angela so recently said: we have not missed our blessing. The Lord is bringing it around again and all we have to do is seize the moment and receive it! It’s going to be scary in the natural. If it wasn’t, the Lord wouldn’t get the credit for it. The devil will absolutely try and stop it with everything he’s got, because he knows the power we hold with our authority in Jesus. Satan knows what the Lord is about to do, and the devil is fighting with every last string to try and steal it from the world. I’m here to tell you now is not the time to jump ship. Now is the very time to press in like never before, fight the good fight of faith, and remind Satan where he belongs — under your feet! Hallelujah!

    Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years. 

    At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.

    Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.

    She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!

    To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”

  • Fire On the Altar

    Fire On the Altar

    And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereof the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out (Leviticus 6:12-13).

    And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart (Jeremiah 24:7).

    Fire and the altar represent very important concepts in Scripture. The altar is representative of the cross and sacrifice. The fire represents the presence of God. Sacrifice and God’s presence are always connected with one another.

    Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” God commanded that the fire be kept burning on the altar continually. Wood was consistently added. Never ceasing worship of God keeps the fire burning in our lives. In other words, as we worship Him continually, His presence remains real to us.

    We must remember that our worship must be more than words. In Matthew 15:8, Jesus said, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” We must put our hearts into our worship. This is how we really get to know Him.

    Jeremiah 24:7 makes it clear that God has given us hearts that are capable of knowing Him. The Lord knocks; it is up to us to open the door. We open our hearts to Him — then He comes in to make His presence known. Romans 12:1 says we are to present ourselves upon the altar as a sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to Him. This is done continually so that the presence of God is manifested in our lives. Wonderful things happen when we truly put ourselves on the altar. Notice the words of Isaiah 6:1-8:

    In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

    Here are the things that occur when we place ourselves upon the altar and keep the fire burning:

    • His presence fills our lives.
    • We stand in awe of His holiness.
    • We recognize our own sinfulness.
    • Acknowledged and confessed sin is purged and taken away by the fire of God’s
      presence.
    • We are ready to go to work for the Lord.

    As God’s people, we need to remember the significance of the fire on the altar. When our offering is available, the fire keeps burning. His presence is manifested in our lives.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy With Pork Loin and Buttered Potatoes

    Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy With Pork Loin and Buttered Potatoes

    Pork Loin With Buttered Potatoes

    1 small pork loin

    6 slices of bacon 

    Salt and Pepper

    1/2 cup water

    Mixed potatoes

    1/2 stick butter

    Take loin and roll it in salt and pepper. Fry bacon until crispy, then rumble them on a plate. Roll the loin in bacon and add to the pan. 

    Bake at 375 for 1 hour or until pink in the middle. While baking, take mixed potatoes until tender, add butter, salt, and pepper. 

    When the loin is done, let rest, then cut and eat. Add potatoes to the plate.

    My verse this month is this: “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14). Can you pause within the business of the impending holiday season to sit before God, read his Word, and wait for Him as you recharge in his presence?

    From my kitchen to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

    In addition to providing delicious recipes on her Faith and Food blog, Tina Rucker is a proud mom to her 18 year old son, happy wife to her husband Joel of six years, and the spearhead of the Five Loaves Food Pantry ministry in her local church, open twice a month. 

    Tina has worked in the food industry for over 25 years, and has a heart and a passion to serve, feed, and provide for those in need.

  • One Verse, Three Nuggets

    One Verse, Three Nuggets

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

    No doubt, I am a football fanatic. High school, college, pro — I enjoy it all. Maybe you have noticed an interesting sight on many televised games. That sight is “John 3:16” displayed on a poster somewhere in the stadium. Good choice; this verse is the gospel summarized. It is one verse with three nuggets in it.

    “For God so loved…” is nugget number one. The love of God is gold to us. Let us draw our attention to Romans 5:7-8 which says, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet preadventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” A lot of information can be gleaned from these two verses.

    Notice the cultural significance of the content of these verses. In the Roman culture, a righteous man was a decent man, but he was not that important. Few people would die for him. On the other hand, a good man was decent and somewhat important. He may be considered worthy to die for by a larger number of people. Look now at how far God’s love will go for us.

    We were not righteous. We were not good. Despite knowing the sinful things we would do in our lives, God loved us anyway — and still does.

    “…that he gave his only begotten Son” is nugget number two. Our Heavenly Father is a giving Father. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” God gave the perfect gift to an imperfect people. Indeed, Jesus is the epitome of perfection. He was the perfect sacrifice and is the perfect Savior.

    “… that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” is nugget number three. God has a purpose for everything He does. The purpose of God is evident in this line. He doesn’t want us to perish. He wants us to believe in Jesus and what He has done for us. After all, Jesus is the way to eternal life.

    So, the next time you see a “John 3:16” poster on a televised football game, remember the three nuggets contained in this verse. The love of God, the gift of God, and the purpose of God are neatly wrapped up in this verse. Enjoy the football game. Embrace the verse!

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.