"For over 20 years, I have observed the hand of God on this very committed and gifted man. Many characteristics could be noted about his life but the following represent the priorities:
FAMILY - Dave and Dawn have served the Lord faithfully as a team for over 20 years. They are successfully guiding 3 children to faithfully serve the Lord. Their home serves as an example to the culture of Godliness and service. Dawn is one of the best examples I know of an effective minister's wife. She has home-schooled all threee children with excellence.
PERSONAL CHRISTIAN LIFE - Dave has maintained a personal walk with the Lord through the use of excellent Christian classics and quality time in the Word. His ability to translate that into quality ministries to reach today's culture is phenomenal.
COMMUNICATION - Dave ahs an excellent ability to communicate the Word of God, providing a fresh insight to Biblical Truth that changes lives through evangelism and discipleship. His sense of humor contributes to his ability to communicate with today's generation.
MINISTRY SKILLS - The combination of his abilities result in Dave having few peers in church ministry today. When you add to that his knowledge of the ministry, he offers the church a package that would take several average people to accomplish.
INTEGRITY - Those who know him will agree that Dave Gipson is a man of honesty, loyatly, and sincerity. His work ethic is well known to those who have served with him.
You will be greatly blessed to consider this man's ministry. Few people have the combination of gifts and skills that our Lord has invested in thsi man of God."
Dr. Ron Herrod - Former Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention, former President of COSBE, former member of International Mission Board, Lousiana College Board, Southern Seminary Board
"I remember the day I met Dave Gipson. Not many people remember the exact time or place they met someone and became friends. Not so with Dave. He's unforgettable. That was seven years ago, and the same character, calling, and competencies that I say in him then are still present, only in fuller force.
CHARACTER. Dave has a long history of consistent Christian living and spiritual obedience. Long before I personally met him, I had already learned of him through some colleagues who had told me about their desire to have him on our church ministry team - a dream that ultimately worked out. After meeting Dave, I knew everything I had heard about him was true. This is a man who is deeply committed to Jesus and who has a compelling and certain devotion to Christ. His heart is incredaingly devoted to God as evidenced in his choice of vocabulary and language, his clearly-stated convictions, the above-reproach lifestyle he lives, and the overall spiritual condition of his home and family.
CALLING. Evidences of Dave's calling abound. First, unlike many who are privately obsessed with the comforst of living proximate to one's family, David understands that his call precedes any other "rights" that he might have otherwise enjoyed or felt entitled to. I have seen Dave make hard decisions about fulfilling his calling by going to locations that, to most, would be considered challenging, threatening, and unsavory.
COMPETENCIES. As his skill, expertise (as a musician), knowledge (as a minister of God's Word), worship (as a lead worshipper). and showmanship (as a performer) has developed, his humility has deepened. He grciously accepts deserved accolades, but with a slight hint of embarrassment. I believe this is because Dave considers himself, and rightly so, as an unprofitable servant of our king. My experience is that Dave has speaking skills, platform prowess, and formidable musical abilities that serve as a reservoir from which his ministry is deeply resourced and springs forth.
Please accept these remarks as an indicator of my highest recommendation for Dave and Dawn Gipson."
Freddy Cardoza, PH.D. - Executive Administrator, North American Professors of Christian Education,& Department Chair, Christian Education, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
"I recall the first time Dave ministered to me. I had just moved to Tennessee and was visiting a local church. Dave played a piece at the piano, hymn as I recall, and I was blown away. That may have been the first time I truly worshiped during an instrumental piece. Dave's passion came through in the way in which he played. I had never heard anything like that before.
Forward about three years, and I was leading a search committee that called Dave to Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville Tennessee. Dave has all of the technical training, skills, and experience. That is necessary, but he has something special that set's him apart from others. Let me explain. Serving with Dave as a choir and praise team member and soloist was honestly some of the greatest moments in my life. It was simply a joy. The choir was unified in purpose — serving Him above all else. Perfection was not treasured in our talent, but only in our hearts of worship of God. As a choir, we shared joys and sorrows as a family. Dave taught the choir to lead, as an example to the church body, in honest, deep, and genuine worship. Worship in the church was transformed under Dave's direction and the Spirit's leading. Dave considers himself a minister of worship as opposed to a worship leader. This is evident in his approach. He teaches and demonstrates worship that honors God.
Today, I live in Washington state, and miss those moments of ministering with Dave and recall them fondly and often. Perhaps that is the strongest recommendation I could give."
Doug Duckworth - Scientist in Tri-Cities area of Washington state, church deacon, choir member, ensemble member
