Lately I have been thinking of Youth Directors that I have known through the years and are no longer with us. One individual that comes to mind is Elder David Caris Cress.

Dave was born 22 August 1957. His love for youth ministry began one summer as he served as a counselor at summer camp. That summer changed the course of his life. Dave changed his major form business/communications and went into youth ministry,
When he completed his Master of Divinity from the Theological Seminary at Andrew’s University, Berrien Springs, Michigan he was called to be youth pastor in Orlando, Florida at the Florida Hospital church. It was here that he met and married his wife, Lynn Bandel.

Later Dave and Lynn pastored in the Pompano Plantation District but his love for youth led him to return to youth ministry as the youth director for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference and they moved to Calhoun, Georgia in 1986.

Dave believed that one of the best forms of evangelizing young people was introducing them to Jesus. As Camp Director he felt that the camp experience was more than just fun activities. Dave once said “The campfire programs are designed for more than just ‘hoot’n and holler’n and singing traditional camp songs. Campfires are designed to teach values, show the joys of Christianity, build positive memories, and lead campers to a commitment to Jesus Christ.”

Dave distinguished himself, administratively, and was called on to serve as the Georgia-Cumberland Conference vice-president/secretary in 1995. He held this position until he was asked to be president in 2002, the positon he held until he tragically died in a plane crash on Thursday December 2, 2004, along with three other leaders of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference and the pilot.

Dave had many gifts, he was an encourager and a master affirmer, and possessed an incredible ability to infuse fun into any situation. He was able to remember a person’s name, and enough pertinent information about each one, as well as family members. Because of this incredible ability every person he worked with knew that they were loved and valued.

Pastor Cress loved life and he loved people especially young people. I remember visiting with him at the Georgia Cumberland Conference office about the Pathfinder Memorabilia Arnold and I have collected and the need for a building to house the collection. He asked me what I was looking for and I described the Georgia-Cumberland Conference office building where we were visiting. He smiled and said “you are describing our building!” I agreed that I was and told him I really liked his building but the location was not quite right for heavy traffic. Dave was a supporter of Pathfinder Ministry and very encouraging.

Dave never lost his love for the youth and worked tirelessly to further any cause that would put the youth of the church in the forefront. His passion and project at the time of his death was the construction of a worship center for the students of Georgia-Cumberland Academy.

At the time of his death he was survived by his wife, Lynn Bandel Cress of Calhoun, and a daughter Meredith. He was also survived by his father Charles C. Cress of Chattanooga, a brother James A. Cress of Rockville Maryland and a brother John C. Cress of College Place, Washington.

Dave’s was a life well lived for His Lord and for the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through the years Dave’s life impacted thousands of young people and older ones too. Those that labored with Dave for the Lord at summer camp, in the pulpit or at the office will long remember his caring ways and his Love for God. Dave rests peacefully awaiting the call of the Life Giver to be reunited with those he loved and his blessed Savior.