A Tribute to Dave Draper

Dave Draper, husband to Linda, father to Andrew, pastor, mentor, and spiritual giant to many, has passed away. Dr. Dave passed on Wednesday, October 23^rd, 2024 at 4:56 P.M. surrounded by his family and loved ones. Dr. Dave and family expressed their deep and abiding love for each other in the final days and said their mutual goodbyes, which is a true mercy from the Lord.

Today, we’d like to extend our condolences to the Draper family, and to all those who have been powerfully, meaningfully impacted by Dr. Dave and Linda Draper. The pair, inseparable in their ministry and life, pastored and mentored so many people in and around the CGGC. Their desire to see people know Jesus touched the lives of countless thousands, ministering to children, youth, college students, seminary students, other pastors, and so many more. From an eighth-grade math and science teacher, to a pastor of multiple churches, to the Executive Director of the CGGC and to President of Winebrenner Theological Seminary for 27 years (and more in between), Dave, with Linda beside him, ministered to people at every stage of life, from the moment of their marriage until the moment of his death.

L to R, Linda & Ed Rosenberry, Dave & Linda Draper

One story, captured by Jim Williams, exemplifies this dedication to the Lord. Having been so valued as camp workers, Dave and Linda were asked to work at a church camp in Maryland Conference. The trouble was, they were getting married the weekend before camp started, and already had plans for their honeymoon. It was insisted upon by the camp director that Dave and Linda were necessary and so the two were married on Saturday, and on Sunday they packed their bags for camp, entirely foregoing their planned honeymoon. Instead, they spent the week at church camp, helping to teach and minister to the kids.

Digging through our CGGC archives, we’ve found many stories like that, stories where both Dave and Linda gave up much in order to do much work for Jesus. But, we won’t monopolize this tribute. Rather, we’d like to help share a variety of voices who loved Dave Draper. We’ll let them tell you just how much he meant, and just how greatly he will be missed, that you might see the full size and shape of the impact he made, and the vacuum he’s left. Likewise, if you’re interested in leaving your own comment, you can do so below. We’ll publish them as they come in. Finally, we’ve left important information regarding where to send sympathy cards at the end.

Joe Miller Presents Linda and Dave copies of their newly published commentary, "Bound but Free"

My heart sank after I heard that our dearly loved Dave Draper has gone to be with Jesus and is in eternal communion with many other saints.

There are so many instances in our lives when Dave and Linda stopped by Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on their way to conferences and meetings, to encourage and speak life into my late husband and I. Dave was one of my mentors as a student at Winebrenner Seminary, and it is safe to say that he helped shape me into the pastor I am today. 

Dave was the first call I received a few hours after my husband, Bennie, had passed. I put him on speaker phone for my son and I to hear his pastoral words of comfort during a very difficult time in our family's lives. I will never forget what he said to us that fateful day, that no matter how much Bennie loved his wife and kids, after a taste of eternity with Jesus, he would not want to come back. It put a smile on our faces, and it reminded us that we loved Bennie so much, we prefer heaven for him over suffering while in this world. Dave has a way with words, in that even if it was meant to bring out a chuckle in us, it was taken as a deeply reassuring moment. To this day, my son still talks about the comforting words and prayer Dave offered to our grieving family during a most devastating time.

I pray that all these stories written and dedicated to Linda, Andrew, Leslie and the entire family, in honor of Dr. David Draper, will serve as a comfort and reminder of how wide and how deep his reach was in impacting others for Christ Jesus. He truly made life better for so many.

With deepest joy and sympathy,

Pastor Christine Florendo, M.D., Logos Christian Fellowship

Dave Duels Tractors in the Hancock County Fair, Findlay, The Courier

We spent every Tuesday night with Dave (during academic years) for almost fifteen years, between 2007-2021, at what used to be known as the "Drapers' Bible Study." Christian community at the University of Findlay wouldn't be what it is today without Dave and Linda Draper. For decades, Dave and Linda would venture on to campus late in the evening (9pm was the normal start time), homemade snacks in tow, and would dive into the Word with any and all interested students. What amazed me most in all the time they were here was their unwavering enthusiasm in engaging with the UF students, whether five showed up (which happened at times) or fifty (which, also happened). I can't even begin to guess how many different students they interacted with over the years. I had met Dave when I was much younger, back east, but got to know him better after starting at the seminary in 2006 (and joining their Tuesday night Bible study for UF students). When I started working at College First (and Bill Reist sent me onto campus to try to breathe some life into discipling ministries there), Dave was a lifeline. He allowed me to help him and Linda with their Tuesday study. Weeks that he and Linda were out-of-town I would sub in to lead (much to the [I think, feigned] dismay of those attending - "Dave and Linda aren't here? Oh, I'm not staying," they'd say as they pretended to leave...). It was an invaluable experience, and a greatly appreciated first step toward developing discipling ministries on campus. What's more, Dave's networking was instrumental in helping to create Christian leadership scholarships at the University of Findlay. I am thankful for Dave and Linda's heart for the Word, for the Gospel, their heart for students from all walks of life, and the servant leadership they modelled with such diligence and perseverance over the years. 

Pastor Matt Ginter, University of Findlay

Dave, words fail to express the part you played in my journey. From a fearful college student to an anxious first-time mother, you had the ability to see more in everyone and speak life into those who desperately needed it. If you were hearing all of these tributes right now you'd say it wasn't you, that it was Jesus in you. And you'd be right. So, thank you for the example you set by just being a simple farm boy who found Jesus and showed others what a life surrendered to Jesus can look like. You will be missed, and I will grieve, but I won't say goodbye. Just a 'thanks Dave' and 'see you after a while.'

Kathryn Griffith, Director of the Women’s Care Ministry, Newville First Church of God

Many people have experienced the encouragement Dave Draper would share. Perhaps you have heard him speak of what he called the “ministry of presence”. Dave played a timely role in what helped lead me to serving the CGGC for nearly 35 years as the Director of Finance and Treasurer. We had not had contact in nearly ten years when “out of the blue" I received a telephone call from Dave. Stating he had no idea why the Lord put my name on his mind, he decided to find out where I was located, obtain my telephone number, and give me a call. Dave was Director of Development at Winebrenner Theological Seminary at the time. I shared with him how I was employed and what struggles I was dealing with professionally and personally. After some further reflection, I decided to return to Winebrenner (a decade previously I attended for a year). 

It was approximately six months between making the decision to move from Pennsylvania to Findlay, Ohio and moving, and during that time I was contacted by Conard Chambers who was then serving as the Ohio Conference Administrator. Conard stated he had become aware I was planning to move “to town” and understood I wanted full-time employment while attending seminary on a part-time basis. Conard said he knew of my extensive accounting experience and suggested I consider applying for the CGGC’s position of Director of Finance and Treasurer because Mr. Everrett Falk had passed away and the denomination was in search of his replacement. I decided to apply for the position and was chosen for the position I would serve in for nearly 35 years. Because of his ministry of encouragement and presence, Dave Draper played a key role in my decision to return to focusing on serving the church. Through the years Dave would provide timely encouragement to me, and I will truly miss his ministry of presence.

Bob Stephenson, Great Lakes Foundation Finance Controller

6 months ago on April 23, 2024, my husband Kevin and I traveled to Muncie, Indiana to spend time with our life-long friends, Dave & Linda Draper. We all enjoyed our time together, talking, eating, laughing, and loving each other once again. You see, the story of the Jenkins-Draper friendship began in the 1900’s, 1979 to be exact!

Like so many others know, once you meet Dave, you are a friend. A week after meeting them, we were invited to their home. As we chatted that evening, we realized how much we had in common. The other thing we realized right away was Dave’s love for the Lord. Dave Draper didn’t just talk about Jesus, he acted like Jesus. It’s really difficult to talk about Dave without talking about his beloved Linda as well. Together they were a team on fire for God.

Over the years, we raised children together, went to church together, played together, and loved each other. We spent time listening to Dave as we attended his Bible Studies, Small Groups, and Sunday School. He talked about Jesus as if Jesus was his best friend – because He was!!

We had such fun together! We would get together on the weekends and play Euchre until early the next morning always saying just one more game. We shared many meals together, enjoyed swim parties and would even attend Cleveland Browns vs Dallas Cowboys football games. The competition was always on between our sporting events and card games.

The year Dave turned 40, Kevin decided to make his birthday memorable. So, 40 days prior to Dave’s birthday Kevin dropped off 40 pencils at the CGGC building prior to their opening with a note that said, “please give to Dave Draper”. The next day he dropped off 39 cotton balls at Darrell Prichard’s house with the same note. Kevin continued dropping off various items all over Findlay without being seen- 38 items, 37 items, etc. On Dave’s 40^th birthday Kevin showed up at the Draper home with 1 donut and 1 candle. Dave got a huge kick out of it and said he had no idea who was behind the mystery.

The thing I will remember the most is their pantry. You know, their pantry was filled with all the kinds of items we all probably store in our pantry. Extra toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, canned foods, boxed foods, and other similar items. So why do I remember their pantry? Not because it was clean, although it was. Not because it was well lit, although it was. I remember their pantry because they made it their ministry. They filled it full and gave it away. Gave it away to seminary students who were struggling to make ends meet. Gave it away to University of Findlay students who didn’t have the funds to purchase. Gave it away to the homeless.

Dave Draper gave of himself like he gave from his pantry. He unselfishly gave us all of himself and in doing so, led us directly to Jesus.

Pam Jenkins, College First

Dave Draper was first and foremost a pastor. He served for only a brief season in a traditional church setting in the Great Lakes Conference at Mt Pleasant church of God, but he spent his life caring for souls in the traditional shepherding vocation. He seemed to know everyone across the Genera Conference. He created a safe, welcoming space for people to hear from the Lord and then follow his lead. As President of Winebrenner Seminary, Dave wanted nothing more than connecting people with Jesus, and his commitment to higher education was to help people understand the rich truth of the Gospel that they might experience it profoundly and then share it correctly, widely, and passionately.

Dave believed in a God of second chances. During a particularly challenging time in leadership, some of us were invited to address the dark side of our own leadership. Dave had the courage to look closely at his own life and helped set the tone for others of us to address our own painful experiences. In the process he experienced the forgiving, renewing, second-chance Spirit of Jesus and realized that the Lord could and would transform him. And in a subsequent difficult time of my life, he believed in me and extended grace in that same renewing second chance. I am quite sure that others experienced that same second chance from Dave, who so deeply experienced the Lord’s work in his life and was then able to extend it to others.

Early in his ministry at WTS, Dave was instrumental in raising money and constructing the new Seminary building. In the planning process he came to me as pastor of College First Church of God to say, we need a worship experience in the auditorium: Would College First be willing to sponsor a Sunday morning worship experience. That challenge led to an additional service in the TLB auditorium which continues to this day. In that regard Dave was a visionary. He saw opportunity and possibility, and looked for resources to carry out the vision.

In his book, The Ascent of the Leader, Bill Thrall describes “vulnerability” as a willingness to submit to another’s oversight and accountability. When Dave returned to Winebrenner after graduation, he made himself vulnerable to Dr. George Weaver, beginning a deep and sustained friendship and mentoring relationship, but even more, learning from a gifted servant of God. As a result of Dave’s close, positive relationship with Dr. Weaver, I was able to ask for similar time, which Dr. Weaver willingly granted. Dave set the tone for spiritual reflection, learning, and personal growth. He worked hard to become a better leader and held high standards in his service to the Lord.

Dave Draper was a shepherd of souls. He cared for his own soul with a steady, disciplined devotional life. But he cared for others by starting several Bible Studies that were practical, and welcoming. One of those studies nurtured College students and grew dramatically, serving young adults in their understanding of scripture and ways to live it out in everyday life. There are at least two men’s studies that continue even now as a result of Dave pulling persons together to reflect on scripture and its implication for our daily lives. My introduction to Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for his Highest) came because Dave gave me the book and encouraged me to reflect on its wisdom. My spiritual life is richer because of Dave’s influence, support, encouragement, and prayer. He was truly a pastor to pastors and a nurturer of souls. And I am grateful for his deep, godly, Christ-centered influence and love.

Dr. Bill Reist, Great Lakes Foundation President

These brief notes provide snapshots of Dave’s life, and what he meant to people. They give us a wonderful but faint glimpse of the whole person. And there are many more besides. Nearly 600 people have shared their condolences with brief stories on two Facebook posts alone, and surely, many more will be sharing stories at the funeral and the reception, and in private conversations over the coming days, weeks, and months. Oh, how we wish we could capture them all, that we could carry them and share them for all to see the measure of a life lived well for Jesus. If we could carve them into stone to keep them, no headstone would be large enough to hold them.

George Reeser shakes hands with Dave Draper

In a culture that is deeply uncomfortable with growing old, and with death, one of the most counter cultural things we can do is to talk frankly and with great emotional honesty about our memories of people who have died. Sharing our memories, laughing, sobbing, or quietly reflecting, we can walk with the Lord through our grief.

Cards of Sympathy can be sent to:
221 E 9^th St,
Muncie IN, 47302

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