Q & A with David

EDUCATION

1. Where did you obtain your college degree, and what was your major?

Tennessee Temple University, in Chattanooga, Tennessee (same school as Pastor Davey) in 1983, with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible – Minor in music: vocal performance. Then I went on to Temple Baptist Seminary, also in Chattanooga, where I completed a Master of Religious Education (completed several courses at Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.

2. How did your education shape your ministry?

My time in school shaped my character as a student of the Word, and my ability to discern and focus on what is important. My doctrinal foundations were established in school, and many ministry talents were developed as a result of traveling for the school on a number of trips.

FAMILY

1. How did you meet Carol?

I met Carol in my college freshman English class, after noticing her “walking down the street, singing dooh wah, . . . “ I was smitten by her blue eyes and southern charm (which I later learned was a disguised Southern California wit and sensibility) I chased her till our sophomore year, when she caught me.

2. It is obvious your family enjoys ministering together in worship. By what or whom are they motivated?

We love to serve together – in a sense we’re addicted to the ministry of the Lord. Carol and I both come from 2nd generation ministry families, where serving the Lord was not an option but a privilege for each member. It was simply a matter of where your gifts connected best. We have found that for us, we are stronger as a family in direct relation to our church connections – because we have to dig deep and abide in the Vine to sustain the energy to do all God has called us to do.

So our children love to serve, and all three have worship gifts they routinely use for the Lord. Jessie currently attends Liberty University studying music education and vocal performance. J. David helps lead worship in the high school student ministry, plays violin in the church orchestra and sings in our student chorus. Josiah also helps lead worship for the middle school worship ministry, plays electric guitar in a band and sings in our middle school church chorus.

3. What do you appreciate most about your family?

They are so much fun to be with, and have developed an incredible “can-do” flexibility for whatever God throws our way. We just love hanging out together and laughing at sharing life at its deepest levels. Personally I love the openness of each of my children, which models what their mother has taught them. True biblical authenticity is a rare godly virtue.

CHILDHOOD

1. How old were you when you lived in Jamaica?

Went to Jamaica when I was seven – had just finished first grade at Arcadia Elementary in Lexington, NC.

2. How did you contribute to your parents’ ministry?

At first, it was strictly musical – sang in children’s choirs, led choruses for SS classes, passed out hymnals, etc. As I matured, it progressed into teaching and leading children’s church classes, leading choirs of my own and ministering in the pulpit for my dad as worship leader and occasionally preacher.

3. Did your family minister in any other fields?

I was the last one at home when we left Jamaica, and went with my parents to Australia for a year and a half after graduation from high school.

4. How did your experience on the mission field affect your work ethic?

It makes me appreciate every dime I make here, since money is so hard to come by in 3rd world countries. Also having lived on a Jamaican time table, I still think life moves too quickly here – their adages of “soon come” and “no problem” apply aptly to time constraints.

5. Were there any drawbacks to being an MK—was there anything you didn’t appreciate at the time?

Not really – I was always an upbeat kid and relished the life I lived. I don’t think I realized what I may have missed as a teen until I returned to the States for my senior year of high school. Upon evaluation of even that list, I’m content that God had me where he needed me.

MINISTRY

1. What compelled you to enter full-time ministry?

I felt God’s hand drawing me to ministry intentionally my junior year of college, but had never imagined doing anything else most of my life. Seeing the need first hand, and knowing I have a God-given ability to serve Him effectively made it an easy choice.

2. How many years have you been involved in full-time worship ministry? Where else have you ministered?

I’ve served in church ministries full time for over twenty three years, and as full time worship pastor for nineteen of those years. I served in three churches in Georgia for our first four years of marriage before moving to Wisconsin for fifteen years. Now God has allowed me to serve at Colonial Baptist Church here in Cary, North Carolina since June of 2003.

3. Describe your “job” as the worship leader of the church.

Worship leaders however, live by a calendar of Sundays. The upcoming Sunday starts on Monday for me, as I meet with our worship staff and evaluate, plan and lay out services, ministry outreach events, administer teams which accomplish this work and build lives in the process. I’m in meetings probably 35% of my week, in rehearsals another 10%, and at the computer or on the phone communicating or building ministry tools another 35%. The rest goes into building up people, and preparing my own heart to be who God wants me to be as the leader of this ministry.

4. What is the hardest part of your job? What is the most enjoyable?

Letting people down & letting people go. I am extremely relational, so I love to please. I know that I’m called here not to please man but God, but my nature chaffs at ever being a disappointment to anyone. I love to see lives changed and live for opportunities to lead God’s people into transcendent moments which transform their lives for eternity. I particularly love mentoring for future ministry: putting faithful men and women to work in the harvest. And I love to sing, and see the song of the Lord touch lives and change their perspective about Him.

5. What are your goals for Colonial’s worship ministry?

To become a unified body of believers who are devoted to worshipping God personally and celebrating him together wholeheartedly before a watching world. That world will then be awestruck by the “glow of glory” from these transformed ones, and realize that “God is really among you,” with the desire that many will “put their trust in the Lord.” We also want to be a lighthouse of worship, mentoring and training men and women to go forth and represent the Lord well as worship leaders.

6. Why do you share scripture and give time for testimonies during choir practice?

Is there any other purpose for gatherings of the body? Colossians 3 says to “Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within in you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns & spiritual songs; singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Choir is not simply a training ground for music; it is a nurturing environment for growing believers who are nourished by one another as we connect together.

7. How do you keep choir members motivated to serve every week?

Prayer for them, interest in them, connection with them and with one another, and lots of food! Seriously, we believe that God’s children should enjoy their tour of duty for their Father, so we do our best to offer joy-filled experiences which people will want to be a part of for years to come.

8. What instruments do you play?

I play the guitar, the trumpet and enough piano to arrange and warm up the choir.

9. If you were to start a second career in any field of your choice, what would it be and why?

Carol and I have talked about starting a family restaurant – between my killer omelets and Josiah’s healthy shakes we’ve got a mean combination for a “Loftis Café.” Seriously, we both could not imagine doing anything but serving God’s people, so if we were not serving the church as pastors, we would find a way to serve the church through other avenues – teaching, training concert and seminar ministries, cross cultural missionary endeavors, vocal music and drama instruction, etc.

PERSONAL LIFE

1. What are some of your hobbies?

I like golf, soccer, Frisbee anything, table tennis, reading & cooking. I also enjoy woodworking on a meaningful project.

2. Do you have any special “talents” others might find humorous?

Ask my wife – none that come to mind at the moment, other than bargaining with Jamaicans for great deals on useless tourist trinkets.

3. In the midst of a busy day, what do you do to relax and re-focus?

A great CD on a quality set of headphones (Bose are my current favorites); a walk in a park with a lake & live animals of some sort; a time of prayer with a good brother and a cup of decaf caramel cappuccino, talking to Carol about anything and nothing.

4. Describe your relationship with God…how does he shape your perspective on life?

“And He walks with me and He talks with me; and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.” I’m sure everyone feels they have a special corner on their relationships, and I’m no exception. I love the Lord, and thoroughly enjoy our times together, whether in a group with other believers, or in the wee hours when we meet and share. I’m still growing in my relationship, but “this one thing I do.” As a result, all of life is viewed through this set of lenses, which is meant to shape all of it. I was reading recently in Psalm 34 - where it says the righteous will cry, they will have troubles, and they will have adversities, but The Lord delivers him from them all. Life isn’t perfect for the believer, but the adventure is unbelievable, and worth every second of the journey.

5. How would your children describe you? i.e. Strict, easy-going, funny, serious, etc.

Multi-faceted, funny, competitive, entertaining, old fashioned, in love with Carol, crazy about ministry.