Dave Simpson

No one is more surprised that he is a pastor than Dave Simpson himself! He was an agnostic/atheist from about 18 to his early 30’s. Then he met Karen, who told him he had to go to church with her if he wanted to date her. Dave never thought he’d be IN church, much less UP FRONT leading worship.

Prior to his unexpected entry into ministry, Dave worked primarily with troubled young people and their families. Positions included counselor at a Wilderness Camp for adjudicated adolescents, juvenile probation officer, and community trainer for a non-profit child abuse prevention organization.

Dave graduated from Gettysburg with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained in 2007.

Dave is currently pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Maryland, where he was called in June of 2009.

Dave enjoys writing, reading all sorts of books, playing tennis, attending films and plays, and watching sports, especially Nationals baseball. He particularly likes spending time with Karen close to home as well as traveling.

Dave also remembers a lot of useless information, which has served him well in the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” hotseat and on “Jeopardy!”, where he was a 4-time champion and Tournament of Champions semi-finalist.

Dave is married to Karen, who is an Education and Training Manager at the Maryland State Retirement Agency. Dave and Karen are blessed to have two children. Philip, 28, is a graduate of Roanoke College who recently moved to Arizona to pursue his goal to work in field maintenance for a professional baseball team. 22-year old Autumn is in California studying to become a Pediatric Nurse. HIs family at home includes two senior Italian Greyhounds and four (yes 4) rescue cats.