David William Green

David William Green was born April 26, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan to George and Marjorie Green. He deceased on April 25, 2018 in Los Alamitos, California and celebrated his eightieth birthday with Jesus. Dave was the oldest of five children.

He is survived by his loving wife Wanda of almost 60 years, his children Darlene Jones and husband Craig, Debbie Gerry and husband Mike, David Green and wife Denise. He also has seven grandchildren, Tiffani, Cherri, Kate, Ezra, Sarah, David, and Jake. Also survived by seven great grandchildren, Caleb, Silas, Cadence, Jedidiah, Jayce, Malik, and Zackery. Also by sister Linda and brothers Chuck and Glen.

He was proceeded in death by his father George, his mother Marjorie, and sister Diane.

David was led to the Lord by his mother at the age of 16, but it wasn’t until 1968 at the age of 30, that David felt the call to ministry and started attending Detroit Bible College at night while working full time at his aluminum siding business. He also volunteered at the Detroit mission from 1969-1972, gaining experience in ministering to those who needed it the most. Four years later, he graduated with his Bachelor of Religious Education on May 26, 1972.

He then took a position as a Youth Pastor in Livonia, Michigan, serving for two years at First Baptist Church of Livonia. He taught leadership skills, how to deal with people, and how to get the youth to commit and be involved in the ministry. He would play basketball, football, or baseball with the youth to connect and build relationships with them.

In 1972, David was again called to make a change and became the Assistant Pastor at Mandon Lake Community Church in Union Lake, Michigan from 1972 through 1974. It was his first full-time ministry position and now he could finally focus 100% on winning souls to Christ.

In 1975, God called him to move once again, but this time across the country to Hanford, California. David took a position as Pastor of Hanford Community Church from 1975-1981. As Pastor, David put everything he had into ministry. It wasn’t uncommon for him to go from a contested game of football on a Saturday afternoon with the youth of the Church, to making a visitation call on a Church member shortly after. He was the definition of hard work and dedication and always went above and beyond to guide his flock.

And then again in 1981, God called David to move to Long Beach, California to become the Assistant Pastor of First Baptist Church of Long Beach. He served faithfully through 1991. During this time, David completed a double major with a Masters of Arts in Counseling and a Doctorate of Ministries. He then became Dr. David Green. With his heart burdened for people, David was now able to professionally counsel people through all varying trials in life, ensuring that he gave them a biblically sound path to follow and work through their problems and issues.

In 1991 David was led to put together a seminar on marriage enrichment. Throughout the years he had spent in ministry, he saw there was a need for married couples to receive biblical guidance on what it takes to have a great marriage. He traveled with his wife Wanda between 1991 and 1994 to many churches and various locations, even going as far as Fiji to put on these seminars.

Then in 1994 God again called David to become a Pastor, but this time he didn’t have to go too far. He became the Pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Torrance, California where he served for 22 years to a loving Church family. He made the decision to retire in 2016 at the age of 78, however he still felt the call to continue with ministry.

Less than a month after his retirement, David began working with Herb Rogers, filling in at churches where the flock was in the process of looking for a new pastor in Southern California almost every Sunday for Churches that were in search of a permanent Pastor. He preached the Sunday before he passed and has his sermon prepared for the following Sunday.

David was a Preacher, teacher, and soul winner and faithfully served in Ministry for over 40 years. His legacy will live on through his family and through those whom he impacted for the Lord. They will carry on his work until we see him again in heaven.

We are certain that on April 25, 2018, David heard the words that he always spoke about being excited to hear from our Lord and Savior, “well done, they good and faithful servant”.