Kevin is a native of Chandler, Arizona where he was raised from childhood until he moved out to East Tennessee with his wife Melissa and 3 children: Lilly, Noah, and Logan. Kevin has spent the last twenty years in the medical industry working to treat
people’s physical health.
Several years ago, Kevin received his internal calling from God to serve as a shepherd for the flock of God and has been in pursuit of that calling. Kevin attended Reformation Bible College (Founded by Dr. R.C. Sproul) and studied under Dr. Stephen Nichols. Kevin is now completing his Master of Divinity (MDiv) at Grace Theological Seminary with an emphasis on Greek and Hebrew Exegesis and Pastoral Ministry. Kevin has a passion for the Word of God studying the Greek and Hebrew languages discovering the depths of its truths and nuances to expound upon its richness. His calling is now to the shepherding of God’s people and that shepherding will be done by the word of God to treat people’s spiritual health.
Kevin is the pastor/teacher at Grace Community Church of Appalachia and one of the founding members. His commitment is to labor in pain until Christ is formed in those who God has placed under his shepherding (Galatians 4:19). His commitment is not to the culture, not to what the world demands, nor what society requires, but to the fidelity of God’s word and living a life by faith that is worthy of the calling of Christ (Ephesians 4:1). A faith that exalts Jesus Christ and glorifies the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Dave moved to East Tennessee with his family—Hilary, Reese, Ben, and Emma (now married)—from Nevada about fifteen years ago. He came to Christ in 1971 during Junior High and was discipled by a young man named Jay, who introduced him to good Bible habits, study, and books by authors like Charles Spurgeon.
Soon after, Dave was discipled by a young protégé of Dr. John F. MacArthur at Grace Community Church in the San Fernando Valley. He considers himself blessed to have been guided by these two ardent young men in the 70s.
Since then, Dave has pursued discipleship, self-study, and Bible College, which he began after High School. He moved around California, working various jobs and occasionally failing in small enterprises, but always adding Bible College and Seminary courses when finances allowed, avoiding school debt.
After twelve years as a Project Manager for three Defense projects, Dave accepted a less bureaucratic and stressful role as Executive Vice President of a small motion picture company in San Diego, performing screenplay rewrites. Following the 9-11 attacks, which caused investors to freeze investments, he transitioned to Retail Management while continuing to earn seminary credits via distance learning.
Dave then moved his family to Nevada, the first stop in their eastward journey. Seeking a better location, he transferred to the beautiful Tri-Cities in East Tennessee, where he completed his Master’s in Theology, making the Dean’s List. This degree was more of a bucket list item for him.
In 2018, Dave began the early stages of a church plant called Grace Community Church of Tri-Cities. However, he found himself serving as an Elder at another church until 2024, when he felt called to return to his original church plant path. He met Kevin Varner, who was also called to preach and had the idea of founding Grace Community Church of Appalachia.
There are no coincidences with God, and His ways are beyond our understanding. Dave and Kevin began comparing notes and praying about a unified path. With Dave having just given notice at his church and Kevin already seeking a church to pastor, they founded Grace Community Church of Appalachia where he now serves as Administrative Pastor. The name reflects the style and biblical values of the early church founded in Southern California around the same time Dave was called to faith.
Proverbs 19:21:
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Our faithful Deacons
