Meet Pastor Dave Taplin

New to Calvary Pines but no stranger to preaching, David has filled the pulpit as a pastor or supply preacher for much of his adulthood. When not preaching, he served as an elder, teacher, or youth leader. Most of those years, he combined volunteer ministry with a full-time vocational job. He has worked as a clinical therapist, a secondary English teacher (grades 8-12), and a college lecturer in English and General Psychology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (University of Wisconsin—Superior), a Bachelor of Biblical Literature (Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri), and a Master of Education in School Psychology (University of Wisconsin— Superior). Pastor Taplin would say, however, that degrees and past job titles alone do not accurately characterize him. He would describe himself, most importantly, as a sinner saved by grace whose passion and privilege are to know Christ. He is married to Suzanne (they have celebrated 37 years of marriage), and they are the proud parents of four children, their oldest daughter and son married to wonderful spouses, their 20-year-old currently in her junior year of Bible college, and their 18-year-old in her freshman year of college. They are also grandparents to one bright, energetic granddaughter and two precious grandsons, both born this past year.  To manage the financial demands of a one-income family (Suzanne left a teaching career to home-school their four children), Pastor Taplin has also been a licensed general contractor in addition to his other work. Paid or unpaid, David would say his life-long career has been ministering the gospel in multiple roles over the various chapters of his life. For his present role as part-time pastor of Calvary Pines Baptist Church, he is honored and blessed.