David Steven Keuss

2020 2656 Kinmere Dr. Gastonia, NC 28056

Cell # 704.747.4829

[email protected]

@DavidKeuss

Wonderful Wife: Nicole

Our Children: Elijah 9, Nathaniel 7, Abigail 5

OBJECTIVE My call is to serve Jesus and a church congregation in the role of Senior Pastor, through the ministries of Biblical preaching, prayer, vision, evangelism, administration, visitation, and equipping believers. I am passionate about this ministry by God’s grace.

EDUCATION L iber ty University Divinity School - Online May 2021, All classes are online and may be completed in any location Doctor of Ministry Degree, Expository Preaching & Teaching

Southwestern Bapt ist Theological Seminary May 2012, Ft. Worth, TX Theological Masters (Th.M.) Degree in Worldview & Church Leadership Emphasis + Dean’s Honor Role

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary May 2007, Louisville, KY David Steven Keuss Masters of Divinity Degree in Biblical Languages & Theological Studies + Middle East Travel Seminar on the ground program

U niversity of Texas at Austin May 2003, Austin, TX B.A. Degree – Major in Economics + Math Minor + Special Emphasis in Electives on Ancient Roman History and Archaeology

EXPERIEN CE S enior (Le ad) Pas tor | Sandy Plains Baptist Church 2016 - present I currently serve as Senior Pastor which includes within this role the functions of preaching three life-changing messages per week, leading our teams and committees, leading prayer service, casting vision, training Sunday Small Groups, equipping new teachers, special evangelism outreaches, trainings and carrying out in-reach, visiting of members in the hospital, counseling as needed, and generally building inside and outside of the church local relationships. Sandy Plains is located in suburban South Gastonia, NC, which is just West of the major city of Charlotte, NC. I’ve led our teams through trainings for each ministry area here. In addition, I work to collaborate with teams to equip believers for service. We create annual teams that are organized for each ministry area. I lead, guide, oversee and evaluate nine staff at the church. I coordinate staff and volunteers and guide various teams in larger decisions for planning and carrying out of shared ministry goals. When necessary, I have guided us for staff hires, staff concerns, and for encouragement. I’ve led Sandy Plains to notable budget and also individual giving emphases for missions with gospel work around the area (Jerusalem), region (Judea), and to the ends of the world. As opportunity arises, the Lord has allowed us to facilitate increased regional and local missions efforts. In a given year, we carry out many multi-staff community wide outreaches as well to share the love and message of Jesus. Sandy Plains Baptist is in a semi-rural, semi-suburban environment. I have created systems for people in order to serve with their own spiritual gifting. We have also teamed up to provide routes for new attenders to join and be assimilated into the church. There are follow up systems in place for various ministries as well. I coordinate with various ministry leaders or volunteers (Small Groups, Deacons, Awanas, Childrens, Upward, Student, Worship, Budget, House & Grounds, Custodial, Special Events, Long Range Buildings Committee, etc.) for annual steps and goals, for evaluation and coaching, and also for budgetary plans. I have with great intentionality led us to create new outreach tools for this church specific to the season and the local area. I’ve started and kept good relationships with various local leaders as well, both as a witness and as an evangelism strategy. We have been involved, for instance, extensively in local schools (various), local fundraisers that team up with businesses too, local events, and sometimes other charitable or active groups nearby. I’ve guided staff to make valuable strategic goals in line with the church vision. We have seen growth from these efforts by God’s grace. I continue to be amazed with how many decisions and baptisms we see and with the passion of the people to serve others and be equipped. I would simply close by saying that there is a distinct feeling I am able and willing to do more and work even more, with a larger congregation, and I would like to pursue that diligently as we think the Lord has laid it on our hearts as a family. That is why this resume is before you. L ead -Senior Pastor | The Lakes Church (SBC) 2010 - 2016

Page 2 David Steven Keuss The Lakes Church was a new church formed in 2014 in Wylie, TX. We were a church plant 2010 that grew and was and is successful. It was initially formed in 2010, as Woodbridge Bible. We met at a library, then golf club, then an elementary and a high school as we grew in size as God provided decisions, baptisms, and new members. The church doubled in size many times. In God’s grace, we outgrew one local area, referred to as Woodbridge and so strategically had to rename the church plant. I led us to prayerfully set up the church in 2010 and reorganize it in 2014. This includes leadership I provided for its teams (Deacons, Welcome, Small Groups, Leadership Team, Events, Children’s, Students, Outreach, etc.), and its worship services, the Constitution, etc. I preached several messages each week, helped teams-committees coordinate, created and co-led with key leaders a prayer gathering service, casted vision on worship and service, led training for small groups and events. We were strategic in evangelism and also encouraging existing members. At The Lakes, I oversaw 5 other staff in their regular duties, planning, prayer and coaching. Along with our leadership team, I guided other teams for success in an overall vision and mission. While at The Lakes, I led us to regional conferences as well for trainings and retreats. We were generous in our missions giving as well through the SBC Cooperative Program, especially as a church plant and then merger. While there, our church also supported local church starts in that area as an added missional focus. In addition, I led TLC to needed property improvements for safety and member-guest impressions. The Lakes Church was able to grow even more from a merger of two churches (Woodbridge and Park Lake), which we also successfully carried out. The merger allowed our larger church plant to do a takeover merger of a struggling congregation, a win for both churches, who obtained new Christian friends + the church start had a place to call home. This was a gift for both to be one new church with a relatively new 3 million dollar Worship Center facility still effectively used for worship and preaching the gospel of Jesus. L ead -Senior Pastor | Woodbridge Bible (Me r ge d) (SBC) 2010 - 2013 Woodbridge Bible was formed as I was called and appointed as a North American Mission Board missionary along with my wife in Wylie, TX. Our goal was to start a church in a fast growing exurb (beyond the suburbs, half city, half rural) in 2010. The Southern Baptists of Texas endorsed us also and provided early on funding for a new work. We were prayed for, presented, and commissioned at the Southern Baptist Convention as it met in Phoenix AZ in June 2011 (a great honor). This partnership opened doors for meeting in larger spaces with those endorsements as well, as it gave the school district clarity who we were. These partnerships also gave me world class coaching from some of the best coaches in the USA for years to come in church leadership and evangelism. We built a team of Christ-followers together so to start and plan and pray over a church forming up. I unified our team around a vision, then planned and executed that new church model. It was a success. Woodbridge Bible was especially effective at reaching those who were lost, had been out of church for years, or who needed a fresh start in life with the Lord. As we grew steadily and moved to larger facilities over time, I led our teams to adjust and plan and pray. Outreach, evangelism, prayer, preaching, events, worship, counseling, Lord’s Supper, giving systems, teams, and more were set up and done effectively. I trained our Small Groups in effective volunteering and helped key leaders learn more on evangelism. We led Sports Camps, Special Easter gatherings, and VBS events annually. We did substantial in-reach as well and member care. I led our teams through trainings for each ministry area and varied meetings to equip them. I researched discipleship and evangelism materials and implemented them with our leadership team. We gave generously as a church start even early on to missions in that state and nationally. At Woodbridge, I oversaw 4-5 staff and helped our leadership team with hires and guidance of staff. I guided teams in important decisions and casting vision as well.

Page 3 David Steven Keuss L ead -S enior Pastor | Audubon Park Baptist Church 2007 - 2010 The Lord led us to the Dallas, TX area right after my graduation from an SBC seminary. This first full-time church was in a fast changing and very economically poor demographic in an inner ring suburb of Dallas, TX. I set about to serve by preaching, teaching, visitation, Sunday School leadership, and administration, which God blessed. We saw substantial growth for a small church of about 25% while there. Also, I led improvements to needs-based ministry continually in that area. I led several teams to coordinate for ministry efforts and outreach that fit the context. We set up effective kids and youth ministry enhancements with good results. I led us also in needed property improvements. Pastoral Intern | Ninth & O Baptist Church 2007 While in my last year at my first seminary, I served in the Sunday School leadership of my home church. In addition, I helped to plan and carry out the Nursing Home worship and visitation rotation for years (2005-2007). Then, in 2007 as an Intern, I gained wisdom through trainings and mini- seminars on leadership in congregational and pastoral work. While there, I learned from several full-time veteran staff about ministry and gained insight from key leaders. I was also elected as a messenger from the church to the Kentucky Baptist Convention, which was a great honor. Pastoral Supply | Various Churches 2003-2007 In seminary at SBTS, I led Preaching and Worship Services as a Supply Preacher around cities in Northern Kentucky (greater Louisville) and Southern Indiana (greater Evansville).

SKILLS & ABILITIES  Leading Prayer Gatherings and Modeling Prayer  Leading Planning of Services and Church Teams  Leading Evangelism and Discipleship Training  Preaching from the Bible Effectively & with Conviction  Oversight and Design and Execution of Church Events  Short-Term and Long-Term Planning as Pastor + Teams  Teaching and Equipping God’s People – Various  Community Involvement and Local – Regional Missions  International Missions Guidance and Personal Experience  Pastoral Counseling Ability + Weddings and Funerals  Contemporary, Blended and Traditional Worship Style and Planning-Guiding Experience  Membership in Local Chambers of Commerce + Local Connections  Much Experience in Administration, Operations, and Staffing

Page 4 David Steven Keuss  Membership in Evangelical Theological Society (with Its Ongoing Bible training + Bible materials, only available to Th.M.+ Degree)

 Church Growth and Depth Training, Experience, and Passion  13+ Years Full-Time Pastor + 4 Years Pastor Supply Previously  Ordained 2007 with My Former College Pastor Preaching  Published Th.M. Thesis as a Book for Advanced Apologetics and Carried Out Intentional Book Launch at Barnes & Noble, Firewheel  Hobbies: College Football, Woodwork, Grilling, Target Shooting, Landscaping, and Hiking.

R E C E N T CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/TRAINING The Gathering Leadership Seminar – Gastonia, NC - 2019

Discipleship Conference - High Point, NC - 2019

Impact Conference – Columbia, SC - 2019

Complete Stewardship One Day Summit – Live Online - 2019

Missions Focused Conference G3 – Live Online - 2019

Baptist State Convention of NC + Seminars – Greensboro, NC – 2018

Young Pastors NC Network Seminar & Forum – Greensboro, NC - 2018

The Gathering Preaching Seminar – Gastonia, NC – 2018

Coastal Evangelism Conference – Conway, SC – 2018

Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting – Dallas, TX – 2018

Nelson Searcy Church Leader Network – Live Online - 2018

Church Answers Seminar on Staff Meetings – Online – 2018

Social Church Seminar on Changes in Social Media – Online – 2018

Church Answers Seminar on End of Cultural Christianity –Online– 2018

Gordon-Conwell Seminary Practical Seminar – Charlotte, NC – 2017

Church Answers Program Seminar on Church Taxes – Online – 2017

Church Answers Seminar on Staff Management – Online – 2017

Baptist State Convention of NC + Seminars – Greensboro, NC – 2017

Young Pastors NC Network Seminar & Forum – Greensboro, NC – 2017

Billy Graham Evangelism Prayer Breakfast – Charlotte, NC – 2017

Church Answers Seminar on Church Facilities – Live Online – 2017

Church Answers Seminar on Staff – Live Online – 2017

Page 5 David Steven Keuss Church History Pivotal Figures Tours – Paris & London – 2017

The Cove Christmas Event – Billy Graham Training Center, NC – 2016

BELIEFS I affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, the standard Southern Baptist Convention statement of beliefs. (Available at www.sbc.net)

REFERENCES Dr. Aaron Meraz , G uideS tone Southern Baptist Ins urance/Pr ea che r/ pas t Criswe ll Colle ge Profe ssor 214.578.0387

Dr. Sam Douglas s, Church Catalyst Leader/Speaker na tionwide / Re tir ed Pr ea che r/ Church Coach na tionally -internationally 214.500.2242

K ris Jone s, High Caliber Realtor/ Veteran Church Planter /G ues t Pr ea che r 972.974.7170

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