Valley View Baptist Church was established in 1965; a North Ogden residence on Washington Boulevard was converted for use as a church with the Pastor’s living quarters upstairs. For the past 33 years, it has been blessed with a Pastor whose dedication is remarkable. The first year and one half he was co-Pastor with Dr. Davis. Dave Duncan is celebrating his longevity as Pastor and spiritual leader for the congregation and believes that the Lord is still in the “miracle business”. He was asked by the congregation to serve in 1985 and has done so faithfully ever since. The early years saw many changes and upgrades to the building with the addition of a Baptistery located just below the Cross, a paved parking lot and an annex building which houses his office and provides storage space.
Prior to that, he had a career in Finance and leadership positions including that of Weber County Treasurer, State Treasurer, Chairman of the Utah Tax Commission and Treasurer of Weber State University. He says that he had worked then to earn retirement benefits: he now works to earn “post-retirement benefits”.
Pastor Dave’s most rewarding calling is in leading people to the Lord. He accomplishes this by being a true friend to those who need one; he understands hardships and the needs of those who despair. He guides those who seek to have a stronger relationship with family and with the Lord.
Pastor Dave has had a share of grief in recent years with the loss of his wife of 59 years, Leah; a son, David in 2014, and most recently a long time friend. He is consoled with the knowledge of blessings from a loving and merciful God and by family and friends. As Pastor he has seen members of his congregation at their high points as well as low: the blessing of new babies, joining two in holy matrimony, school graduations, and blessing those who have gone to Heaven. He has faithfully performed his duty in every case.
His congregation has been active in the community – helping needy families at Christmas, visiting seniors homes during the holiday season, participating in National Day of Prayer and Faith of our Fathers events and supporting American Spirit Essay contest. North Ogden showed its love and respect for him in 2014 by naming him and wife Leah as Grand Marshalls for the Cherry Days Festival. A family highlight this year was presiding at the marriages of two grandsons which gives Pastor Dave, even more, of a reason to count his blessings.
Pastor Dave and the folks at Valley View Baptist church extend to each of us the warmest of Christmas greetings and happiness and spiritual blessings through 2018. He gives two Bible quotations that go to the core of our Christmas celebration –
“For unto us a child is born, a son is given.” – Isaiah:9:6 and “ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” – Matthew:1:21.