Vicar Dave and his wife, Imelda, were married in 1992 and have two children, Lily and Jack. Dave worked in agriculture while attending college, graduating with a Bachelor in History from Fresno State. He also served in the Army National Guard, was a volunteer fireman and worked as emergency medical technician on an ambulance. Although raised in farming, Dave leaned into a more dynamic lifestyle and eventually joined the California Highway Patrol. He currently serves as a lieutenant in the Merced office.
Dave and Imelda became members of Emmanuel Lutheran in 2011. They both found the congregation welcoming and the sermons grounded in solid biblical principles. They baptized there children here. In 2021, Dave felt a calling toward pastoral ministry. Working first with Pastor Ed Kruger and then with Pastor Dan Hues, they both and agreed and recommended Dave to our district as a pastoral candidate for the Concordia St. Louis Specific Ministry Program. Dave began his education at the seminary in January, 2023, and hopes to graduate in 2027.
The Emmanuel congregation has been so supportive, I feel very blessed and excited to serve this community as i transition to a new career, a new vocation, as a LCMS Pastor.