Pastor David Salinas
How did you come to CTL?
I accepted the Call Christ Jesus issued me through CTL in the summer of 2019.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience.
I’m a native of North Hollywood, CA. In 1997 I graduated from Cal State University Northridge with a degree in Urban Planning. I considered my education a great blessing, but held captive by God’s word and the joy of sharing it as a profession, in 1998 I enrolled at Martin Luther College to begin my studies for the pastoral ministry. In 2004 I graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and received my first Call into the ministry to St. John Lutheran, Victorville, CA. At the end of 2012 I accepted the Call to begin a Spanish-speaking mission in Yakima, WA. At the end of 2016 I accepted Christ’s Call to partner with a former H-Town resident, Pastor Timothy Bourman, to serve Sure Foundation Lutheran, a multicultural mission congregation in the second most diverse community on earth (H-Town is #1!), Queens, NYC!
What gets you excited?
Above all, my Savior Jesus and his amazing word! I never cease to be amazed by how greatly and inexhaustibly he loves me, and by the inexhaustible treasures of his word. I love to mine those treasures and grow to know him better, and to enrich people with his word.
Secondly, I am thrilled to be part of the multicultural, bilingual CTL family! I look forward to pouring my heart and soul and employing the gifts and varied ministry experiences God has given me to serve this flock and community with the gospel for many years!
Last, but certainly not least, my heart beats for God’s greatest earthly gifts to me, my precious wife of 20 years, Katie, and our four beautiful daughters, Rachel, Eva, Gabi, and Anastasia. Blessed to the power of five!
What Bible passage best sums up your life and ministry?
Ephesians 3:8. “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the nations the boundless riches of Christ.” That Jesus redeemed me, wow! That he called me to be an instrument of salvation in the public ministry, double wow!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A variety of physical activities and sports like running, swimming, cycling, calisthenics, salsa dancing, baseball and football. I also enjoy a number of brain activities, learning Russian and French, reading, playing guitar, listening to music, and playing chess. Most of all, I enjoy playing with my girls and going on dates with my wife!
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
Growing up near Hollywood, I’ve met a number of movie stars like Gene Hackman and Drew Barrymore, but the coolest thing was to have Johnny Depp’s “second mom” as a member of my church – ask me about it, sometime!
