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(Return to Church Leadership Page) Rev. Dr. David A. Baker Senior Pastor David Baker became Senior Pastor of Gay Street United Methodist Church July 1996. David earned a BA degree from Asbury College and a Master of Divinity from AsburyTheological Seminary. He received a Doctor of ministry from Methesco Theological Seminary. David and his wife are the parents of three children. He enjoys reading and spending time with his family as well as bicycling and movies. Church phone: 392-6626 e-mail: david@gaystreetumc.org
A Look at our Leadership—Reverend Doctor David A. Baker
Anyone who has listened to David Baker’s messages during worship services over his past twelve years at Gay Street United Methodist Church knows that he shares much about his life in them. You may have heard bits of what it was like growing up on a dairy farm, how he loved the machinery and how it fostered his love of the outdoors. There have been stories from the other three churches he has served, including dealing with a devastating flood at Shadyside. We hear snippets of conversation he’s had with friends and anecdotes from the family. Chatting with David at a Wednesday night dinner, one will learn yet more, such as what books he has read or what movies he has watched in some of his rare free time. He may even delve into his childhood and you might be taken back a bit when he tells about the rheumatic fever he and his three siblings contracted, leaving him bedridden from first to fourth grade. With a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from Methodist Theological School in Ohio (Methesco), and the sometimes-intimidating title of ‘Reverend’, David remains a very relatable person. When asked how he manages to do this, David is reminded that he received the calling to do God’s work, he didn’t seek it because it came to him naturally. He depends on God to “fill in the blanks” and support him in his weaknesses, one of which is that he considers himself an introvert. This dependence gives him “proper perspective.” Seeking God’s help is crucial in David’s life, and part of that includes keeping a faithful Sabbath, something he learned from his father. “It didn’t matter if on Sunday the hay needed cutting and that day would be the best for the crop, Dad still took a Sabbath.” His father’s faithfulness and his mother’s generosity are just two examples of influences on David’s spiritual life. Harold Gerber, a lay member at his home church, also inspired him. Mr. Gerber was a businessman but “modeled an everyday Christian with honesty and dependable ethics.” There were also teachers, but David most remembers his Greek professor, Bob Lyon, who combined learning the language and practical theology through interpretation of the New Testament. This practical theology has helped David in many aspects of his career. He sometimes forgets the “acumens of clergy” and is startled that people openly invite him to share and help in their most personal experiences, from births to weddings to the death of a loved one. He considers it one of the privileges of his ministering. There are other moments of appreciation as well. David loves it when during a worship service, God’s presence is felt. “I am thankful when the plans for a worship service coincide with God’s Spirit that ‘shows up’ and the words read, spoken or sung, have life beyond what any person can create. God’s Spirit touches the worshipping community’s heart.” As for Gay Street UMC specifically, David has enjoyed seeing the growing number of younger families getting involved and the network they have formed. He feels another positive thread of the church is its mission-centered mindset, which shows in the numerous, everyday ministries taking place. This sentiment transfers to where David would like to see Gay Street UMC in the future, continuing to be mission-centered and focusing on becoming more involved in the community. He feels that there are local programs doing great things and the church could help provide a unique strength to them. As David and his family return for their thirteenth year at Gay Street UMC, they would like to share their appreciation with everyone, “We are thankful for the opportunity of relationships.” And, we, in return, say thank you and welcome back. ~Kami Diehl
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Dr. Baker previously served York, Medina, Lincoln
Avenue (Shadyside) and Huron United Methodist Churches. David serves on the YMCA
Board, the library board, as well as on the following committees for the United Methodist Church in East Ohio Conference: District Council on Ministries, District Strategy Committee, District Superintendency Committee, District Committee on Ordained Ministry and was Vice chairperson on the Board of Ordained Ministry.