As part of an ongoing series, we are discussing and interviewing members of the Young Pastors Network (YPN).
Part of our 2009 Venture Capital Program, the YPN initiative, developed by Rev. Adam Hamilton and Rev. Mike Slaughter, pastors of two of the largest churches in the connection, set out to train and mentor 50 young pastors nominated by their bishops for having the potential of leading churches with weekly attendance of more than 1,000.
First up we are talking with Pastor David Hood. David Hood serves as the campus pastor at Ginghamsburg’s newest campus, Fort McKinley in Dayton, Ohio.
• Describe your call into ministry including the most influential persons in your life
I received my call to ministry while I was in college. I remember watching Brett Favre throw a touchdown pass and seeing the joy on his face and knowing that my career path at the time did not hold that kind of joy. After a month of prayer or more I heard God saying clearly, “on the other side of obedience is Joy” and I knew God was calling me into professional ministry. One of the greatest influences in my life and ministry has been my Dad, who is an American Baptist Pastor – most of what I know about ministry I learned from him. Other great influences include Pastor Mark Suter who hired me as his youth pastor and introduced me to the United Methodist church. Pastor Mike Slaughter has also been a huge influence in my life and ministry.
• What excites you most about being a pastor in the UMC?
I love that the UMC is an open conversation in progress rather than a set of rules and dogma’s already established. This gives flexibility and room for grace to the denomination. I also love that the UMC’s focus on both personal holiness and social justice. It is this balance of priorities that drew me to the denomination and in my opinion positions it for effective ministry in the coming decades.
• What have been some of the keys to the success of your ministry?
One of the keys to the success of my ministry has been and unwavering belief that if God has offered us the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit, the life example of Jesus himself and the full resources of heaven then we have no excuse for failure. As a visionary thinker I am able to see the preferred future and lead people step by step toward it.
• What role are you playing in identifying other future leaders for the church?
Currently I am meeting twice a month with 11 young, high potential future leaders to disciple and empower them toward using their natural leadership gifts in the church. I am constantly on the lookout for the gifts and grace in others to deploy them in ministry.
• How has the YPN added value to your education and gifts?
My time in the YPN has been critical for my personal and ministry growth. It has challenged me to a new level of ministry. It has also connected me with other extraordinary young pastors who have bonded together with a mission and focus to change the world and revive the church. These are the people who will be my colleagues, accountability partners and friends for the next thirty years of ministry. The YPN has been an incredibly profitable gift for me.
• Are the any web links we can go to for additional information about your ministry?
There is also a page that is specific to the Fort McKinley restart at
