Ministry Background

Dave has been actively involved in Full Time Christian ministry for over 17 years. For more than a decade, he worked in Youth and Music Ministry, serving in staff positions at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist in Augusta, Georgia, Sugar Hill United Methodist in Sugar Hill, Georgia, and Johns Creek United Methodist in Duluth, Georgia.

In 1993, Dave responded to God’s call to the ordained ministry and began seminary at Candler School of Theology.

In March of 1995, he was appointed Pastor of the Holly Springs United Methodist in Holly Springs, Georgia, which he served until June of 1997. He graduated with honors from Candler School of Theology in 1996 where he received the John Owen Smith Preaching Award for his seminary class.

Dave was appointed to the Roswell United Methodist Church in Roswell, Georgia in 1997 where he currently serves as Senior Associate Pastor and as the leader of The Chapel worship experience on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.

• March 18^th, 1958-born in Buford, Georgia.

• 1976-Graduated High School from-Greater Atlanta Christian

• 1979-Associate of Fine Arts from Young Harris College

• 1981-Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory and Composition. Georgia Southern University.

• November 20^th, 1982- Married Theresa Jane Spinks of Warner Robbins, Georgia.

• May 17^th, 1984- Birth of son, Christopher David Benson

• February 23^rd, 1989- Birth of daughter, Anna Michelle Benson

• 1996- Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University

• 1996- Ordained Deacon in the North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

• 1998- Ordained Elder in Full Connection in the North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

• 2001- Doctor of Ministry in progress at Drew University, Madison, NJ