Franklin David Recognized as 2018 Notable Person of Honor

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

Pastor Franklin David was nominated by Bill Miller, president of the Potomac Conference, as a 2018 Notable Person of Honor, and was recognized during the fall Columbia Union Executive Committee meeting.

David was born in Bangalore, India, to a pastoral couple. When asked about some of his hobbies and passions, he states that he loves birds, racing pigeons and playing tennis. And much like our previous honoree, he loves a good joke.

David is married to Elizabeth, and they are the proud parents of two married adult daughters and two granddaughters.

He says he resonates with the quote by Winston Churchill, which states, “Continuous effort—not strength or intelligence—is the key to unlocking our potential.”

David has consistently persevered in life through his schooling and the many organizations he has grown and impacted. He has had a variety of experiences within academia, which include a background in medical technology, a bachelors in liberal arts, a Master of Theology and a certificate in fundraising management. During the course of his career, he has used the knowledge gained from these experiences to impact the lives of many individuals in the Potomac Conference’s Southern Asia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Md., where he serves as senior pastor.

In the late 1950s, many Southern Asian Adventists migrated to areas in the Potomac Conference and held church services in their homes. In the 1980s, they approached conference administration with a request to establish a Southern Asian church. David established a company as a volunteer leader, and, within two years, the congregation grew to 250 members. Today the church is attended by nearly 1,000 members, located near the Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters.

One way David has achieved this membership growth is by involving himself in various projects in the church that help target different age groups and ministries. He is known for engaging in social activities, organizing church camps, visiting members at home and in the hospital and organizing local and international evangelistic efforts. His vision also led to the establishment of a church plant in Northern Virginia.