Dave Miller Retires from 45 Years of Pastoral Ministry

During the month of April, 2024, Pastor Dave Miller retired from 45 years of pastoral ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including 23 years at the Oklahoma Conference. His personal testimony is proof of God’s guiding hand through all stages of life.

It all began when colporteurs visited Dave’s home during childhood. Dave’s mother purchased The Bible Story books by Arthur S. Maxwell, and a collection of Ellen G. White. In reading, she became convicted to keep the Sabbath. So, Sabbath School replaced Saturday cartoons in the Miller household. It took a bit for Dave to get on board with that switch, but he soon enjoyed the primary classroom and church.

Yet, as Dave grew into a young man, he quavered in faith. During college, he even told God, “I’m taking a two year vacation.”

“What the other guys were doing looked fun and I wanted to try it,” said Dave. “Fortunately, some things have a way of going wrong, especially when you know you shouldn’t be doing them.”

In the 1970s, Dave experienced this to the extreme. He dropped out of college to move to Colorado, but robbers stole all of his savings. Then, after just one night in Colorado, Dave realized that he didn’t want to be with the girl for whom he had travelled from Pennsylvania. The relationship ended.

“All my plans went down the drain,” said Dave. “That was good, though, because it led me to church.”

Although Dave felt impressed to go back to church, he initially fought against the inclination. He told God “no” for three weeks. During that time, Dave lived off of corn flakes, bananas, milk, and tomatoes. He had nothing else to eat and no money. That’s when he remembered that churches often offer a potluck lunch.

Because of hunger, Dave decided to give church a chance. On the way, though, he made a deal with God. “If I don’t get two potlucks today, for lunch and supper, then I’m never going back.”

That day, church members not only invited Dave to two potluck meals, for lunch and supper, but they also gave him a copy of Ellen White’s Desire of Ages.

“It left me speechless,” said Dave. “...That’s when my attraction to Jesus began.”

That attraction led Dave to a life of Ministry. He attended Columbia Union College to study theology, then continued in seminary at Andrews University. After graduation, Dave waited about two years for his first church placement. He almost gave up on ministry to become a bricklayer, but God did not give up on Dave. By God’s timing, Dave began work as a pastor on June 1st, 1979. He joined the Oklahoma Conference in 2001.

“It’s a lot easier to see God’s plan looking back than trying to look forward,” said Dave.  “One step at a time is all he asks us to take, and yet, at the same time he holds our hand.”

Thank you to Pastor Dave Miller for your years of ministry in the Oklahoma Conference! by :: Makala James