David's Bio:

David joined the staff of FUMC in January 2007, as Director of Student Ministries.  He has worked for United Methodist churches in the Texas Conference, North Texas Conference and Southwest Texas Conference.  Drawing from his experience in youth ministry over nearly two decades, David is passionate about reaching and discipling teens for Christ – and particularly equipping youth to impact those around them. David focuses students on the eternal value of their relationship with God and their responsibility – and opportunity – to influence their peers and others for the kingdom.  David has enthusiasm is for sharing ideas, providing guidance and offering encouragement to youth and families.

David is committed to championing the critical importance of family ministry. His heart is for seeing churches and parents work together to nurture teens in a faith in Christ … and for empowering young people to share and exhibit their faith in there daily lives.

In his work with students, David oversees middle school and high school.

Outside of FUMC, David continues to speak and teach on children’s, youth and puppet ministry.  He and his wife, Karen, live with Doug (son), Katie (daughter),  and Belle (dog).

drunnels@lufkinfirst.com

 Note from David:

  Hey, glad you found your way here.  Out of the limitless options the internet has to offer you chose to look my staff bio, glad you made it.
   My hope is that FUMC - Lufkin is a place where people can be real.   In most churches there exists an unwritten rule, Pretend. Pretend that God is in control even when you don’t think he is. Pretend everything is hunky-dory, and peachy-keen with your life even when it’s not. Pretend to care when you don’t give a flip. Pretend you’ve got great friends, great families, great everything!  Jesus calls each of us to quit pretending. When the real us meets the real Jesus, there is no room for pretending.
   Real spirituality is not about being finished and perfect, it is about trusting God in our "unfinishedness". That means we are under construction.  Life is a hair raising, patience stretching, argument causing, down right messy experience. That’s why we crave "finished".  God begins a good work in us, he starts changing us, but the finished process is more than a lifetime process.  You don’t have to pretend and you don’t need to be ashamed of your "unfinishedness", that is God’s plan. And, if you are pretending, cut it out, God does not intend to finish you here. He only intends to finish you there. So, trust God for all the reasons you pretend.
   Having Jesus meet the real us is the humiliating recognition that we don’t do holy living very well. We don’t know as much of God’s word as we would like to. We don’t pray as often as we should. But, look at whom Jesus responded to in scripture. He responded to those who interrupted him, yelled at him, touched him, busted through ceilings to get to him, he even responded to those who yelled obscenities at him. Each of these shows extreme desire. Desire to be close, desire to be healed, desire to be noticed.
 In spirituality, do we want safety?  We don’t reach for brass rings anymore because we might fall off the horse. Don’t shout for joy anymore because we might look silly.  Don’t get excited, don’t act desperate and for heaven’s sake don’t be desperate. But, when the real you meets Jesus, and I know it as a fact, you get desperate to get what you don’t have and desperate to keep it once you’ve got it.  Desperate people don’t do well in most churches. They don’t fit. Desperate people very rarely are worried about the mess they make on the way to Jesus. I believe this ministry is the place where the broken, the pretenders, the unfinished and even the desperate are welcome.  I look forward to getting to spend time making it through the messes as the real us meets the real Jesus.    
                            
                    David

Q & A with David:

Share one food item that best describes the last year of your life.

I’d have to say “cinnamon roll” because it was kinda messy with lots of turns but overall was pretty sweet.

What’s your favorite concert you’ve ever attended?

Wow, that’s hard to say.  Favorite huh?  I  have to say James Taylor ’97.  I was on a date with my wife, Karen (she’ll probably read this - bonus points for David).

What cartoon character best describes you?

Does Cap’n Crunch count? I love Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch!

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

Is there some place sunny where the temperature was 65 - 72 degrees all year with just enough wind to fly a kite? 

If you knew could you try anything and not fail (and money was no object), what dream would you attempt?

I set two world's records by making and eating the world's largest pancake (would have to be over 15 meters in diameter and more than 3 tons) and eat it in one sitting (without syrup of course).

What super power would you most like to have, and why?

I have debated this often.  I have to go with elemental transmutation, the ability to alter chemical agents, changing them from one substance to another by rearranging the atomic structure.  Let’s say, I was sitting at my desk and I was really hungry.  I could use my powers to make a turkey sandwich out of post-its.

Share 3 unique things about yourself and your life, 2 of them true, 1 false.

I’ve never had a cavity.  I’m afraid of clowns.  I’m adopted.