About Dr. David P. Craig

IMG-3877.JPG“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:16

I am a California native from Huntington Beach, and the Lead Pastor at Valley Baptist Church in San Rafael, CA (Bay Area). I have been married to my best friend, Dana, for 28 years, have five adult children; and seven grand children. I have been a Youth and Lead Pastor in California and Washington for the past 33 years. I have earned degrees from Multnomah University in Portland, OR (B.S. – 1988); Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA (M.Div. – 1991);  Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, CA and Northwest Graduate School in Seattle, WA (D. Min. – 2003). As a cancer survivor (Squamous Cell Carcinoma – back of the tongue – Stage 3, 2012) I have a special heart for people with cancer and their caregivers.

I have a passion for encouraging Christian Disciples, Leaders, and Pastors (especially bi-vocational pastors and church planters) to be more strategic and effective in living for eternity by being intentionally Christ-Centered in 9 key areas of life:

(1) Spiritually – Your relationship with God through the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

(2) Marriage – Your triune covenantal relationship with Christ at the center.

(3) Family/Parenting – How to be a Christ-centered family and raise Children that love Jesus above all else.

(4) Vocationally – Your calling in the world and ministering within your local Church.

(5) Health – Taking care of your body that God will use on this earth until the day of your glorification.

(6) Friendship – Building bridges in relationships as you reflect Christ in your community.

(7) Stewardship – Maximizing your resources for Christ: money, time, skills, talents, & spiritual gifts.

(8) Mentoring – Investing in relationships using your unique skills, gifting, personality, and passions.

(9) Discipleship – Participating in the spiritual growth of other followers and would-be followers of Christ.

It is in any or all of these nine areas that I seek to help followers of Christ live today for that which will last for eternity by helping you minimize your weaknesses and maximize your strengths.

As a graduate of Bobb Biehl’s Consulting Institute and Leadership Academy (see http://www.bobbbiehl.com/) & Life Coaching with Dave Kraft (author of Leaders Who Last & Mistakes Leaders Make, Crossway) I have received phenomenal personal and organizational leadership training and have received an abundance of practical resources for Life Coaching. I speak Spanish fluently and have had the privilege of teaching pastors and missionaries in Argentina, Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and India. I combine my theological training and 33 years of pastoral leadership experience in order to provide the Christ centered resources on this website (Particularly for Bi-Vocational pastors in the USA and abroad).

If you would like to sponsor a bi-vocational or full time senior pastor in the areas of Expositional Preaching; Leadership Training; or Discipleship Training and Multiplication I can be contacted below. VLM is a California Non-profit 503(c) Ministry and all gifts are tax deductable.

 Thanks so much for visiting my website, and may Christ’s presence satisfy you abundantly!

In Christ’s Grip of Grace,

Dr. David P. Craig, Senior Pastor/Life Coach

I can be reached to serve your needs at all of the following:

  • Email: LifeCoach4God@gmail.com

  • Phone: 623-308-4333

  • Follow me on Twitter: @LifeCoach4God

  • Address: 25 Lotus Court – Novato, CA 94945

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:6-8

19 thoughts on “About Dr. David P. Craig”

  2. Good Afternoon David;
    Thank you for your insightful and honest review of my new book, The 7% Solution. As a new author I was quite pleased to see your opinion. I hope you noted the last few paragraghs of the book, which cited the parable from Matthew 23 of the three servants, as well as the bibliography which included the Holy Bible.
    Tithing is at the core of the book. It is a gift back to my Booomer generation. It describes how we were taught to tithe as children in the 1950s. 50% of the net profits are donated to three charities.
    So glad you enjoyed it. I hope your followers may feel the same!
    John

    Reply

    1. Hello John,

      The book was excellent. At first it took me awhile to get into it. However, your strategy was very easy to follow, logical, and simple. It gave me hope for my financial future and inspired me to help others with their financial planning as well. I hope there are more books to follow!

      In His Grip of Grace,

      David

      Reply

      1. Good Afternoon,
        now I have a new book. Broken Wing: Birds, Blades and Broken Promises. The story that the wind industry doesn’t want you to read. Altamont Pass was just the beginning of the horror. These turbines stand like crosses upon Golgotha.
        If you have the time, you may wish to read it from Kindle. The avian videos are quite amazing.
        Thank you,
        John
        jgraves@west.net

  3. Thank you for the great encouragement and inspiration i have received from your tweets. It is good to know a bit about you and see your wonderful family

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  4. I was diagnosed with Kidney cancer 12 years ago. One month prior to the diagnosis the Lord impressed me to memorize Psalms 91 (all verses). Am healthy and blessed. Discipleship of men is my passion. Am praying for you.

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  5. How come it is so hard for some people to grasp the Love of the Lord in there lives. Even though they know that the Lord loves them. Is it because sometimes we do not fully understand how much he cares about us and our needs. When you went through cancer did you ever say Why me? Or What did the Lord use this for in my life.

    – Brother in Christ Daniel.

    Reply

    1. Hello Daniel, I never asked why or why me? I knew early on that it was part of God’s plan to conform me to the image of Christ, shape my character, and help me to be more empathetic to others with serious ailments, pain, and suffering. It was difficult to go through emotionally and physically, but spiritually I was at peace with Gods daily grace and His Spirit at work in my life. I truly believe that God works all things for our good and His glory. I never questioned His love for me that has already been proven on the cross. Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection, and soon return are always a constant joy for me even in the midst of great suffering.

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  7. David:
    I was very blessed by your website and your testimony. My wife (Regina) of twenty eight years has been an Oncology R.N. at Akron (OHIO) General Medical Center, and I have used prayer and faith in the LORD JESUS CHRIST to sustain her and her nursing “ministry”. We will pray for you and your family, and ask that GOD will continue to use you in a wonderful way. We are in our 60’s and have had a special love for those suffering with cancer.
    I serve on our Men’s Prayer Partners team at The Chapel in Akron[ http://www.the-chapel.org] and active in GIDEONS and The Peacemakers ministry. But my prayer is that a ministry of encouragement and teaching like yours would flourish and be blessed. May you be strengthened in every way, in GOD’s will. Love in Christ. 1st JOHN 4:4
    Thank you for your ministry.
    WILLIAM

    Reply

    1. Hello William, thank you so much for taking the time to write these encouraging words! Please thank your wife – Regina – for me – for being an Oncology nurse – what a special calling that is. I was so blessed by all the nurses that took such good care of me during my chemo and radiation treatments. One of my daughters just got accepted into the nursing program at GCU and is thinking about Oncology as well!

      May God bless you with Gideon’s and your Men’s Ministry. It sounds like you two are a wonderful couple that God is working in and through mightily. I covet your prayers for more opportunities for ministry. I especially pray for open doors to minister to those going through cancer – both caregivers and those receiving treatment – it’s a very tough road – but a time of tremendous soul searching and openness to the Gospel.

      Thanks again and may you enjoy basking in Gods grace and keep delighting in the Gospel daily.

      In His grip of Grace, David

      Reply

      1. Brother DAVID…our prayers are with you. There is a preacher here in the greater Cleveland area who encourages me , Scottish-American Alistair Begg, who preaches often about GOD’s servants enduring bodily illness, pain and suffering…knowing that GOD’s GRACE is sufficient. You are so helpful coaching others in their pilgrimage to know Christ, and to live life knowing HEAVEN is our ultimate home. My wife and I pray that GOD strengthens you and gives you peace that passes all understanding even as you get continuing medical care , as the Apostle Paul taught us in ROMANS 8:27 and 8:28. I pray for those who are rejecting CHRIST, and believe NOT the Gospel. I recall talking several years ago with an Israeli Government official visiting Cleveland, who responded to my question about the Apostle (Saul) Paul. The Jewish dignitary knew I loved American history and said “you Americans once had a great general named Benedict Arnold…and that is how we Jews view Saul…” How I pray for the lost, and ask the Holy Spirit to touch their souls, knowing that our bodies die and decay, but absent from the body, they will answer to the LORD. It is a blessing to know the LORD through HIS only begotten SON, our Savior. Keep up the work of the LORD, Thanks for your ministry, we will pray for you and your family. May GOD bless you. William & Regina

  8. David and Dana…it was such a pleasure and a blessing to meet you two at Berean Bible Church. I am encouraged by your visit and hope to see you folks soon. You were a delight and pleasure and I cannot wait to hear more from you and work with you..as we work toward our goal and His will in winning souls for the Kingdom. Blessings my friends,,

    Reply

    1. Judy, Thank You for your wonderful hospitality during our stay in Knoxville. It was a delight to spend time with the “Bereans” and get a great feel for your passion for the Lord, His church, and your community. Grace to you in abundance as we pray together for God’s guidance and provision for our futures that are held in our Lord’s providential hands – for our good and His glory!

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  10. Sir, how do you explain Romans 11- where som tanierlae Jews/Israelites were broken off from the olive treee and yet if they persist not in unbelief they will be re-grafted. Does it refers to salvation and losing it because of unbelief?

    Reply

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