Bluffton University

Lifelong commitment

Service and Connection Across Generations

David Glick ’07
Major: Music

David Glick’s journey reflects the ebb and flow of faith, growth and the powerful influence of community. Growing up in a loving Christian home, he was adopted at nine weeks old and raised with strong values of service and love for others. It wasn’t until his time at Bluffton University that his faith truly became his own.

Answering the call through loss and service

A pivotal moment came when a close friend passed away in a car accident just after their freshman year. This devastating loss prompted David to reflect deeply on the fragility of life and the importance of embracing God’s calling. It was there, in the aftermath of that tragedy, that David fully committed to a life of service, deciding to “be all in” for what God had planned for him.

In the years that followed, David worked in various ministry roles, from Youth for Christ to his current position as the interim senior pastor at Ebenezer Mennonite Church. Throughout this journey, his faith was shaped not only by the challenges he faced but by the memories that anchored him, especially those memories that revealed God's presence during tough times. For example, reflecting on his adoption, David saw a parallel between his parents’ unearned love for him and God’s grace in his life, both gifts he didn’t deserve but received freely.

Mission trips also played a key role in his spiritual formation. Trips to New York City, working with the homeless, and to Guatemala, serving its people, opened his eyes to the global work of God. These experiences taught him that no matter where people are in the world, God is at work. These trips, far from just moments of giving, became times of deep personal reflection where David often felt he was the one being blessed.

When David transitioned into his role as a pastor, he realized the importance of memory in the spiritual lives of those he served. He encouraged his congregation to recall moments when God had been present in their lives, whether in times of joy or sorrow. He stressed that reflecting on these memories could help people feel grounded in their faith, especially during times of doubt or difficulty.

Building faith across generations

In his work with youth, David emphasizes the importance of building personal relationships. Teens, often struggling with family upheaval or uncertainty about their place in the world, need to know they are valued. Through personal connections, David believed, youth could learn that God was always there, even in the midst of change and turmoil. He sees his role as not just a pastor but as a mentor who could help youth navigate the complexities of their lives while showing them the enduring truth of God’s love.

David’s approach to ministry was also deeply intergenerational. Recognizing that the younger generations often feel disconnected from the church’s past, he worked to bridge this gap by fostering relationships across age groups. Older members of the church, who had experienced the church’s history firsthand, became mentors for younger members, helping them understand the significance of their faith traditions. This intergenerational approach helped people not only to look to the future but also to honor the past, recognizing the sacrifices and hard work of those who had gone before.

Through all of this, David’s faith journey continued to evolve, rooted in the belief that memories, both personal and collective, play a vital role in spiritual growth. Whether through the lessons learned in his own life or in the lives of those he ministered to, David saw how crucial it was to look back in order to move forward. His story was one of transformation, where the memories of loss, love and service all played a pivotal role in shaping his calling and his ministry. In the end, it was the combination of faith, memory, and community that gave David the strength to guide others toward a deeper relationship with God.