It’s a new year and a time for new goals, programs and relationships. Since October 2007, Pastor David Daus, an Indiana native, has served as pastor of Gumbranch Baptist Church. He said he is excited about the things happening at the church and the far-reaching impact members have on their community.
The church has undergone many building expansions recently and has grown spiritually and physically.
“A church that is healthy will grow. I want people to focus on the Lord. If we are doing what God says, then the church will grow,” Daus said. “We desire to be a biblical church that brings glory to God in everything we do. Our church exists to love God, love people and serve the world through prayer. I want members to be able to say and do what the Bible says.”
The congregation has plans to travels this year.
“We are doing more mission trips. Last year we did mission trips to Romania, Scotland, Mexico, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kosovo and Tennessee. This year, we already have people in Tanzania and we plan to go to Birmingham. I am also praying about a trip to India,” the pastor said.
Church members also help organize community events.
“As part of mission and outreach, we had a “His banquet” at Bradwell Institute. We rented the cafeteria and served a meal and gave out clothing. On Wednesday nights, the church has a program called ‘Be the church,’” Daus said. “We go out into the community to mobile homes, giving free dinners and doing a prayer walk. We also go to laundromats and give people quarters to do their laundry. We are helping to meet the needs of the people and showing them the love of Jesus.”
Other new church programs include “The judgment.”
“It is a Halloween drama that we did and it is centered around life and death. We are also preparing for the Easter cantata,” Daus said. The cantata this year is titled “In Christ Alone,” and it will be at 10:15 a.m. Easter, April 24.
Daus said the people of Gumbranch are good people. “They are wonderful. I have the best members on the planet. They are willing to roll their sleeves up and work. I serve as the quarterback. The good ideas normally come from the people,” he said. “God is doing amazing things at Gumbranch, and we are excited to be a part of it.”
In addition to serving as a pastor, Daus is an Air Force Reserve chaplain at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. He and his wife Kelly have been married for 10 years and have three sons, William, Peyton and Micah.
Daus and the Gumbranch Baptist Church family invite the community to Bible study at 9 a.m. Sunday, worship at 10:15 a.m. and a worship/prayer service at 6 p.m. They also have a 5:30 p.m. Wednesday supper, followed by Awana at 6:30 p.m. for children and 6:45 p.m. for adults.