DUNBAR, Wis.—Northland International University conferred upon Pastor David Miller an honorary doctor of divinity degree at its commencement ceremonies May 15, the school citing his contributions to the building of countless men and women for full-time ministry.
Miller has been pastor of First Baptist Church, Mishawaka, Ind., since 1978, his home church. He was brought up in a Christian home and accepted the Lord at a young age. During his teen years, he surrendered his life to full-time ministry. As a teenager, Dave was a leader in his church’s youth group and in Youth for Christ in his county. After graduating from Mishawaka High School in 1966, he attended Bob Jones University, earning a bachelor of science degree in speech education. David married Elizabeth on their graduation day. After two decades of ministry, he entered the graduate program at Bob Jones, earning his master of ministry degree in 1994.
Pastor Miller was instrumental in starting a Christian school at First Baptist. It began with 14 students in preschool through second grade. The school is now completing its 33rd year with preschool through 12th grade.
Baptist Mid-Missions honored Pastor Miller and the church in 2008 for more than 80 consecutive years of missionary support. In his years as pastor, giving to missions has increased, missionaries have been commissioned for national and international service, and adult and youth mission teams have traveled to various states and countries. David and Liz have ministered in Bangladesh, St. Vincent, Quebec, and Uruguay.
During Pastor Miller’s ministry, the church has completed acquisition of its entire city block, he was recognized by the mayor’s office with a proclamation on his 25th year of ministry, he has served on a mayor’s committee, and he has been involved in a number of community events. First Baptist reaches hundreds of people annually with a live nativity scene and a Memorial Day outreach. David has served for more than two decades on the executive board of the Indiana Association of Christian Schools and on the advisory board for Advance America, Indiana’s largest pro-life, pro-church, and pro-Christian school lobby.
David and Liz have been blessed with two daughters who, along with their families, are devotedly serving the Lord. Christie, the oldest, is married to Paul Whitt, and Carrie is married to Mark Combs. The Millers thoroughly enjoy their six grandchildren.
Seeing God’s hand in calling many former students, teens, and adults to the mission field and full-time Christian work; knowing his children are walking in the truth; and enjoying the companionship of a godly wife are what Pastor Miller considers the greatest blessings of his years of ministry.
