Meet David Vodila

I cannot remember a time when I did not love God and earnestly try to please Him. Raised in a mill town near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, everyone in my extended family attended church every Sunday, and I can still picture the religious prints hanging on the walls of my grandparents’ house. I attended parochial schools and started each school day by attending mass; and I was taught to believe that salvation was the result of following the teachings of the church and by good behavior. As I grew older, the attempt of trying to please a distant God by good works became more and more frustrating.
After beginning my professional career as a teacher, I was watching a television show on a new Christian television network and the host was talking about having a close personal relationship with Jesus, and how salvation was not achieved by good works, but rather through faith in the mercy and grace provided by the sacrifice of the Savior. I wanted that! From that point I began studying the Word, reading works by Christian authors, and attending Bible studies; practices that have continued to this day. I still treasure the first Ryrie Study Bible my wife purchased for me. I love that Bible!
For over thirty years, I served as a high school principal in Pennsylvania. I loved my job, especially the interactions with my students. While reading Phil Yancey’s book, The Bible Jesus Read, I was touched by the verse in Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” I tried to view my students in a new light, seeing them as so important that God had their names engraved on His hands. I know my level of care increased for my students. I hope I was a blessing to them.
My wife and I moved to The Woodlands almost three years ago. I never thought I would leave Pennsylvania until we had grandchildren living in Texas. I was active in my prior church in the worship arts, and teaching areas, and leaving my “old” church was difficult. But I thank God for Pastor Gavin giving me a chance to be involved in serving at Faith Bible Church. Now I serve in the prayer ministry and teach a class made up of wonderful people whose names are engraved on the palms of God’s hands.