Pastor Dave has been leading St. Paul’s since 2016 with a joy-filled energy that is reflective of his favorite Bible verse that Paul included in two of his letters, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.”
Pastor Dave led the church through Covid by broadcasting a daily uplifting message, PDat930, on the church FACEBOOK page, which continues today and by organizing a worship team that ensured our church family could “go to church” every Sunday even when isolated at home.
Pastor Dave has an extensive history of working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges including those living on the streets who are homeless. He also has been a life long advocate for refugees and those seeking asylum holding God’s directions in the Torah (Deuteronomy 10: 17-19 “the Lord is your God, God does not play favorites. God loves immigrants giving them food and clothing. That means you also must love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt.”) as a clear directive from God for people of faith.
Pastor Dave has led mission trips to Uganda, the Gulf Coast after Katrina, the Jersey Shore after Super Storm Sandy, to poverty stricken Appalachian communities in Kentucky, and in urban centers in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Buffalo, New York.
Pastor Dave’s personal theology has a focus on Jesus’ message in Matthew 25:
Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?
And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. –Matthew 25:37-40
Pastor Dave is active in the community serving as a chaplain with the West Deptford Police Department, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, and Inspira Medical Center. He is on the board of directors of Stockton University’s Center on Successful Aging and the Atlantic County Center on Independent Living. In addition, he occasionally guest-hosts talk radio programs in Atlantic City and is a volunteer with the Hedgerow Theatre.