It's amazing what God will do to and through those who simply say "yes" to His will and calling.
It was the desire of David Griffith's mom to have her firstborn be a son and to name him David after her favorite Bible character; thus, his name and calling. This was instilled in him from his early years, having been saved in his homeland of Barbados with a strong conviction of the hand of God being upon him.
David Griffith travelled to the United States of America and pursued a career that led him to Anderson College (now University) in Anderson, Indiana. Music was his anointing, and he studied with the musical greats of the Church of God such as Bill and Gloria Gaither, Ron and Carolyn Patty and their daughter Sandi Patty, and many others. He was exposed to the great Church of God theologians such as Ron Fowler, Ed Foggs and James Earl Massey, to name a few.
The ultimate prayer of his mom, which she never shared until his pastoral installation, was that the Holy Spirit would place these great men of God in his path to help develop the flame she had sown in him. This brought him to Philadelphia, thinking he was continuing his musical education, only to find himself at High Street Church of God (at the urging of his dad), the church that was previously shepherded by Horace W. Sheppard, Sr. and Bishop C. Milton Grannum, whose footsteps he could never fill. Thank God that we're not called to fill other people's shoes. Rather, our footsteps are ordered by God Himself, and made specifically to fit our own.
In February 2020 a global pandemic hit us. Our lives changed forever. The government shut down churches and all places where crowds gather. Mask mandates and social distancing were enforced. The saints at High Street could no longer go outside in the community to minister and pray with the neighbors. Consequently, the annual free Thanksgiving feast for the community, led by Sis. Celeste Walton and her kitchen staff, had to be canceled, as well as the annual Christmas Concert conducted by Pastor Dave featuring the Messiah Choir.
Along the way, God has blessed him with an amazing wife, Eugene "Jean." She is the love of his life, without whom his story could not have been told. He was also blessed with two awesome sons, David Ryan and Michael Elliott, and now a gorgeous granddaughter, Rya Sanaa.
Rev. David E. Griffith, who had been Assistant Pastor since 1989, became Pastor in March 2004. His vision for the saints of God is to evangelize Germantown from within, and to equip our members with the desire, determination and dedication to do the work of the Kingdom. Pastor Dave, as we affectionately call him, also served as the Minister of Music for the High Street Church of God.
He says, like Samuel, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped me." He can also say, like Joseph, "Ephraim: you have caused me to prosper in the land of my affliction." God has brought him from the humble beginnings of his life in Barbados to a place that now celebrates 100 years of God's faithfulness. To God be the glory!
As he journeys into the next season of his life, he is assured that He who began a good work in him will see it through to the day of Christ, not only personally but also corporately.
If God is for us, who can be against us!