Meet Pastor David

Thank you for visiting Sawmill Baptist's website. I hope that you'll have time to take a look around and see what we doing as we are "Connecting with people to connect them with Jesus."

One of the things most people want to know about a church has to do with the pastor: Questions like, "Who is he? Why would he want to be a pastor? Is he allowed to like 'normal people' stuff?" Most of all, "What does he believe as a Christian?"

Last question first - I became a Christian when I was 9-years old. My parents took me to church and I heard all the Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments from people who cared about me and wanted me to know how much God loves me. When I was 9, I knew that God loved me and wanted me to go to heaven when I died. I also knew that Jesus had died on the cross so I could be forgiven of my sins. One day, during a church service, the pastor asked anyone who wanted to be "Born Again" (ask Jesus to be the Savior and Leader of his/her life) to come up to the front so he could pray with them. During the song they were singing, I went up. No sparks flew - no rush of wind - no fancy anything - Just a young boy who wanted to accept the love God had offered the best way a 9-year boy could.

During the next 20 years, a lot happened - I had the normal pains of being a teenager, went to college, got a job, had cancer (and recovered), got married to a super lady named Paulette and became an instant dad to Charity and Chad, had cancer again (recovered again), was a teacher, a store manager, a loan office manager and, in 1988, left for seminary to study to be a Pastor. I have pastored churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana and have been at Sawmill since May 2006. (There are a lot more details. You can e-mail me if you'd like to know more.) That also helps to answer, "Who is he?"

Now, why would I want to be a pastor? Mostly because I know that is what God has gifted me to be, but also because I think it is the best job in the world. I get to spend each day doing whatever needs done to help people have a relationship with God that starts on earth and lasts forever. Not many jobs involved eternal benefits. I also love to help people make positive, permanent life changes using God's principles from the Bible.

What about liking "normal stuff?" Yes, I like a lot of normal stuff - I am a fan of both the Pittsburgh Steelers & Penguins (I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area) and the Indianapolis Colts (I adopted them when I lived in Indianapolis.) I enjoy working out on a regular basis with Paulette (that super lady I married in 1984.) I like "Mike & Ike" candy (It's not an addiction, but I keep a regular supply available at home) and Paulette's cooking (the reason I also work out regularly.) I like the great music from the 1970's (Chicago, Dan Fogelberg, John Denver, Carpenters), but also like some more contemporary Christian groups (Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns.) And, I enjoy any opportunity to get a new power tool. My favorite restaurant? Locally, it's a coin flip between Fazolis and O'Charley's, but my absolute favorite is Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill in Niagara Falls, Canada. I know that my 2 favorite children are my grandaughters, Sienna and Marleigh, who have Grandpa wrapped around their fingers!

Anyway, enough about me. I hope I'll have an opportunity to meet you sometime soon. On the pages of this website are the times for worship and other groups that meet during the week. Best time to catch me is on Sunday morning (or call the church during the week if you'd like to drop by.) Unless I'm on vacation (one of the other "normal stuff" things that I like), I'll be here. If you have any questions, just call me at 614-764-1141 or by e-mail at pastordwn@aol.com. I'll be glad to answer them. Hope to see you soon. In the meantime, remember that you were created by God to love Him and have a relationship with Him that last forever!

Pastor David Nuhfer

What Pastor David is reading now:

Just a Walk across the Room by Bill Hybels

Simple Church by Thom Ranier