In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and yearbook staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, and Texas.

David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He served as Senior Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas until January 2021, and is now retired. He now helps churches  and ministries with strategic planning, and call process support. He is also an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David.”

David has served churches in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, and Texas – which they now claim as home, having lived here longer than anywhere else. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991.

He and Diane, his wife, also serve as presenters and team leaders for Pastoral Leadership Institute International, as well as national PLI immersions. Recently they have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. Their most recent teaching has been with pastors and their spouces in the East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania. They have also taught pastors and wives of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya.

David’s personal mission is to help people and churches to realize Jesus’ plan and purpose for their lives.