Pastor Carl Billings

Dave Johnson (Intern),  Youth & Family Ministry

 

Paige Rutherford, Office Administrator

Our thanks to Bob and Nola Hines for an excellent job as Youth Directors awaiting for Dave Johnson to arrive

Note: Pastor's sermons are on the Pastor's Page

                                                    Meet our Intern Dave Johnson

Dave grew up in the upper peninsula of Michigan.  He has a multitude of stories about living in a place where the average yearly snowfall is over 180 inches (that’s 15 feet!) of snow.  Not too surprisingly, he worked at a ski resort for several winters while in high school and college. 

Church camp played an important part in Dave’s faith life.  It was at camp that Dave encountered Jesus and learned of God’s love in the cross of Christ. As Dave puts it “I heard the message of what Jesus did for me and his love for me in a way I never saw or heard before.”  It was because of that encounter with Christ that Dave became an “on purpose” follower of Jesus.  He still wears a cross around his neck to commemorate that encounter and as a reminder that Jesus is walking with him in all that he faces.

Dave received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Psychology from Northern Michigan University in 2004.  He planned to go into law enforcement but God had other plans.  While in college he volunteered as a youth director at a local congregation.  The pastor, having worked with Dave for a couple of years, asked him if he ever thought about being a pastor.  That question planted a seed that eventual led to Dave hearing a call and entering seminary.  He enrolled in the Masters of Divinity program with a youth and family emphasis in 2005.  He has also been the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Cross of Glory Church in the Twin Cities.

Dave is married to Wendy, a southern California girl, and their son is Christopher, who was born last October.  They are excited about their year at Hope.


HOW TO GET TO KNOW YOUR PASTOR

Pastor's play an important role in the daily life of your congregation and the community. Despite their churchly profession, fancy robes, and knowledge of Greek, pastors experience the same kinds of ups and downs as everyone else. They value member efforts to meet, connect with, and support them.

1) Connect with your pastor after worship.

After worship service, join others in line to shake the pastor's hand. Sharing a comment about the sermon, readings, or hymns lets the pastor know that his or her worship planning time is appreciated. If your congregation doesn't practice the dismissal line, find other ways to make that personal connection.

2)  Pray daily for your pastor, because he or she doesn't just work on Sunday.

Your pastor has many responsibilities, like visiting members in the hospital, writing sermons, figuring out who can help drain the flooded church basement. In your prayers, ask God to grant your pastor health, strength, and wisdom to face the many challenges of leading a congregation.

3)  Ask your pastor to share with you why he or she entered ordained ministry.

There are many reasons why a pastor may have enrolled in seminary to become an ordained minister.  Be prepared for a story that may surprise you.

4)  Stop by your pastor's office to talk, or consider making an appointment to get to know him or her.

Pastors welcome the opportunity to connect with the church members at times other than worship. As you would with any drop-in visit, be sensitive to the face that your pastor may be quite busy. A scheduled appointment just to chat could provide a welcome break in your pastor's day.