About David Burton
David and Kathy both grew up in West Tennessee. Kathy made home Memphis...David grew up in a small country town called Tiptonville. They met at Union University in Jackson, TN (David graduated in 1975), then moved to Fort Worth, Texas where David attended and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (David graduated in 1979). (Thankfully, Kathy worked and put David through seminary...What a wife.)
They had their first child, Katie (Katie is married and lives in Maggie Valley, NC, with one child, Madi), during the final semester of school and soon moved to DeQueen, Arkansas, to serve in their first full-time church. David was Associate Pastor/Youth and Evangelism Director. Both were trained in Evangelism Explosion and this launched David into his heart and passion for a "full throttle ahead" in personal and church evangelism to this very day.
They moved to Germantown Baptist Church, in Germantown, Tennessee (just outside Memphis) where David served as Evangelism Director. They had their second child, Josh (Josh is married and lives in Sarasota, FL with one child Blake), while living there.
Later, a second ministry opportunity came from Arkansas. 2nd Baptist Church of Hot Springs called David to be Minister of Evangelism. From here First Southern Baptist Church in Del City, Oklahoma, called him to work with singles and assist in evangelism training.
Following this ministry, it was God's timing for David to pastor. Cinco Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, called David as senior pastor. (Interesting, their HONEYMOON was spent in Fort Walton years before where David prayed that God would never move them to Florida...obviously they did not like Florida)...they have now lived in Florida 34 years.
In 1989, the Florida Baptist Convention State Board of Missions voted to bring David on as Associate Evangelism Director for the State. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida area, where they live to this day. Exciting ministry immediately followed and Student Evangelism was soon added to David's responsibility to which God honored and blessed with Super Summer (Theee Week) growing to average 900 students each summer....so much so, eventually 2 weeks filled the vision and ministry each year. Then the vision was birthed for (Theee Weekend, Youth Evangelism Conferences) which grew to over 8000 students each year. Amazing days for the ministry...
In 2002, David became the Director of the Evangelism Division for the Florida Baptist Convention and a whole new passion was birthed. Continuing to travel an average of 35,000 driving miles a year (plus flying some as well) churches renewed their heart and passion for winning people to Jesus. Over the final years of this ministry, Florida leads the nation with the largest number of 'in state' Baptisms of any state in the country. The North American Mission Board awarded Florida 8 years of TOP BAPTISMS. God blessed indeed! Then adding thousands of baptism's from Haiti (a Florida partnership nation) on top of that and...well...it was just a God thing. Praise the Lord!
With new convention leadership arriving in late Spring of 2015, David's position as State Evangelism Director was eliminated from its staff. (David's wife's position of 19 years in the public relations office was also eliminated). Another position was offered to David but after praying in his office on July 10th, God spoke to David..."David, you step aside from your nearly 26 years of ministry here at the convention and You and Kathy step out on faith....I will take care of you". That day began one of the most amazing journeys in the Burton family...now the FAITH WALK began.
A 501c(3), non-profit ministry was birthed that to this day is being blessed by committed supporters from across the country praying and giving through financial gifts. Individuals, companies, and churches have decided to give so the ministry that David is so gifted at may continue to push back the darkness and train others to be faithful to do the same.
The first few years of David Burton Ministries help conclude David’s desire to SHARE THE GOSPEL in EVERY STATE…..ALL 50! What a joy and privilege to be able to continually, week by week, LIFT UP JESUS across this great country. David is available to travel to your place of ministry to BRAG ON JESUS! Contact him TODAY at dbsoulwinner@gmail.com!
Please continue to pray even now and on a regular basis for David and Kathy as they walk in the Lord's will of helping fulfill the Great Commission.
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