DAVE MANUEL

Director of Student Ministry

FAVORITE BOOK(S):
This seems like a trick question... The Bible!
Some favorite staples I love going back to are Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, The Listening Life by Adam McHugh, or Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S):
The Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) series… Especially when there’s a day to watch them all at once! I could also watch Pirates of the Caribbean or (most) Marvel movies over and over again—however, some of the newer Marvel movies are too dark for me to enjoy. I also really enjoy classic musicals such as The Music Man, Singing in the Rain, or my favorite, The Sound of Music.

LAST MEAL ON EARTH:
A "California" or "Pipeline" burrito from Taco Surf.

SONG THAT GETS YOU ON THE DANCE FLOOR:
“Conga” by Gloria Estefan.

FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.”
— Dallas Willard

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB:
There is nothing better than seeing students personally grow into their own faith in Christ. Eating pizza on the job is a nice perk…

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT DAVE:

Dave joins Grace Seal Beach with nearly four years of experience in Student Ministry. After becoming a Christian in high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a SWCC small boat captain for six years with deployments to the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He graduated from Regent University (B.A. in Leadership and Christian Ministry) and Talbot School of Theology (M.A. in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care). Additionally, for the past three years, Dave has been serving as a Staff Spiritual Director at Biola University.

Dave has been married to his wife, Kate, for three years, and they are excited to welcome their new baby boy in August! They also have a golden retriever, Rosie, who is never short on energy. Outside of work, Dave enjoys family walks at Huntington Beach (Dog Beach), reading, running, and paddleboarding.