Three Questions is a semi-regular series introducing individuals across the NAB by asking them about their story, their ministry, and what they are learning. This week, we hear from David Mohr, the new executive minister for the British Columbia Baptist Association (as of the beginning of March 2024).
What’s your story?
I was born in the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper, Alberta, and raised on a farm in central Alberta. I was educated on the Prairies in both Alberta and Saskatchewan and married a sweet American girl from Oregon. We have three amazing adult kids, with two equally amazing daughters-in-law and, most importantly, I have two incredible grandkids. While that sums me up fairly well, it’s only by the grace of God that I am where I am. I was raised in a Christian home where I was taught at an early age that Jesus was the answer to the most important questions I could ask.
I like to think of myself as an easygoing, relationally oriented person who, through the grace of God, loves the people of God and is honoured to work in the calling he’s given. I enjoy everything outdoors, active sports (and of course watching others play active sports), and riding my motorbike wherever I can.
What has ministry been like for you?
My introduction to who Jesus is – his love and call on my life – has blessed me with over thirty years of vocational pastoral ministry. I’ve been given the opportunity to serve in various different pastoral roles. Whether it was in a youth, music and worship, associate, or lead pastor role, serving Jesus has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Despite the regular and significant challenges that come with pastoring in any capacity, the experience of being a small part of someone’s journey as they grow in their relationship with Jesus makes it all worth it – every time.
I’ve also been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a volunteer chaplain in hospitals, for college sports teams, and for the NHL hockey team the Edmonton Oilers. (Is this finally their year?!)
Some of the more formative experiences in my life came through mission trips with the people I served. Through several trips building homes for impoverished families in Mexico, serving the poor of Southeast Asia and Africa, or even venturing into difficult areas to the Middle East to support local ministries, God has changed me. My view of the Church and what God is doing in and through his people has been challenged, encouraged, and strengthened. God is working all around us.
What are you learning?
When God calls leaders to serve his Church, it’s significance can never be overstated. I believe the best indicator of leadership gifts are found less in the way you think or the words you say, but leadership is most often proven by the things you do.
I have learned, and continue to learn, a great deal about who I am as a child of God and who he is calling me to be. I recently heard someone say, “The older I get, the more curious I become.” Call it curious, call it a desire to learn things you don’t know yet, or even learning to be better at the things you already know, my desire is to be a life-long learner. The one thing the many godly influences and mentors in my life have had in common is a continual desire to learn. I pray that by the end of my life I will be more curious than I’ve ever been. I also pray God’s call on my life will have been proven by the things I did.