Member of the Month - October 2007

Dave Greear

by: Tom Whitener

In major league baseball, Cal Ripken Jr. received a nickname by holding the record for playing in 2,632 straight games. Meet Spring Hill Baptist Church’s version of the “Iron Man”. Dave Greear has made it to Sunday School every Sunday for 40 consecutive years. What is really amazing is that Dave has never been too sick to show up and he hasn’t missed due to family issues or vacation. In fact, when he is out of town, Dave will attend a church wherever he goes and bring back a bulletin as proof of his visit.  For his dedication, we honor Dave Greear as our October 2007 Member of the Month.

Dave never set out to start an attendance streak lasting 4 decades. He simply acknowledges his reason for coming to Sunday School, “I just make it a priority in my life. The Sunday School class I’m in now was once the ‘Young Men’s class’ taught by Dr. Dick Gardner. He challenged us to see if someone in our class could achieve perfect attendance and I guess I stepped up.”  

Born in a tiny WV coal camp called Wyoming, Dave reflects how his mom witnessed to him as a young boy. “She would often quote Romans 10:9 & 10 when she was dealing with me. That is why those verses mean so much to me.” After Dave turned 11, he attended an evangelistic crusade in the “big city” of Pineville and went forward after the speaker, Eddie Martin, asked who wanted to be saved. Dave also smiles when he recalls his baptism being “somewhat unusual”: Dave was baptized by immersion in a local Baptist church by a traveling Presbyterian minister.       

With Ann (his wife of 45 years) by his side, Dave is happy that both his sons were able to stay in West Virginia with their wives and find jobs here. As a result, the Greears get to see a lot of their five grandkids. Dave adds, “It’s great to be around them and watch them grow.”   

Coming to Spring Hill Baptist Church since the early 1960’s, Dave has actively participated in many ministries and leadership capacities.  He says, “I am fortunate to have the health and strength to do these things. It is a blessing to be a help to others in some small way.”  

If someone sees Dave, it’s hard to say what he might be holding in his hand. It could be a Bible, used to assist AWANA boys with memorizing Scriptures, -- or a set of van keys, used to transport several elderly church members to and from Sunday services, -- or a hammer, used to tackle another “odds and ends” project as our Head Trustee, -- or a hymnal, used to sing along with the choir during one of his favorite hymns “Amazing Grace”.   

Dave also appreciates the consistent preaching behind the pulpit over the years at Spring Hill Baptist Church. He comments, “I am thankful for these godly men and their families. Every pastor we’ve had clearly shows that he loves the Lord and preaches right from the Word of God.” 

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