Thank you for visiting my website.

The sections below provide additional information about my faith journey, ministry experience, educational background, teaching philosophy, and theological convictions. My prayer is that these resources will help you better understand who I am, how God has prepared me for ministry, and the passions He has placed on my heart.
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Click on any of the sections below to learn more.
Personal Testimony & Family

I came to faith in Jesus Christ in August of 1979 when I recognized my sin, my need for a Savior, and God's gracious provision of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since that time, my desire has been to know Him more deeply, grow in His Word, and faithfully serve Him wherever He leads.

I was raised in church and have been actively involved in local church ministry throughout my life. Over the years, God has provided opportunities to serve in a variety of roles including deacon, elder, Bible teacher, ministry leader, pastor, discipleship leader, and adjunct college instructor. Through each of these experiences, He has continually reinforced my passion for teaching His Word and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ.

My wife and I have been married for nearly four decades and have been blessed with a wonderful family, including two children, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. My wife faithfully serves at First Redeemer Church as Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor, and together we are grateful for the many ways God has allowed our family to serve Him through the local church.

Today, I continue to serve through teaching and discipleship ministries at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Georgia, where I teach both Sunday morning and Wednesday evening classes. I also serve on the advisory board of Redeemer Bible Institute and occasionally teach within that ministry.

One of the greatest joys of my life has been helping believers understand God's Word, develop a biblical worldview, and grow in spiritual maturity. Whether teaching a Bible study, mentoring a leader, developing curriculum, or encouraging a fellow believer, my desire is to fulfill Christ's command to make disciples and help others walk faithfully with Him.

When I am not teaching or studying, I enjoy spending time with my family, supporting my daughter's activities, and continuing my own study of Scripture and theology. I remain deeply grateful for God's faithfulness and for the privilege of serving Him through the ministry opportunities He provides.

Ministry Snapshot

The following is a brief overview of the ministry, teaching, education, and leadership experience God has allowed me to develop over the years.

  • Master of Theology (ThM), with Honors — Dallas Theological Seminary, Christian Education
  • Master of Science in Computer Science — Southern Polytechnic State University
  • Ordained and licensed minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  • Executive Co-Senior Pastor experience — Firewheel Bible Fellowship, Rowlett, Texas
  • More than 35 years of ministry experience including teaching, discipleship, pastoral leadership, elder service, and deacon ministry
  • More than 17 years of collegiate teaching experience as an adjunct instructor
  • Current Bible teacher and discipleship leader at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Georgia
  • Redeemer Bible Institute advisory board member and substitute teacher
  • Adult discipleship ministry leader of a Sunday morning class that grew from two participants to more than ninety regular attenders
  • More than 30 years of corporate management experience in software development, team leadership, consulting, and organizational management

These experiences reflect my desire to serve Christ by teaching Scripture, making disciples, developing leaders, and helping churches and ministries become more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

I believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God. The Scriptures are God's complete written revelation to mankind and are the supreme authority for faith, doctrine, and daily living. I believe the Bible should be interpreted according to the normal grammatical-historical method, seeking to understand the author's intended meaning within its historical and literary context.

God

I believe there is one true and living God who eternally exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three Persons are equal in deity, glory, power, and perfection, yet are one God. God is sovereign over all creation and is worthy of all worship, obedience, and praise.

Jesus Christ

I believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became fully God and fully man through His virgin birth. He lived a sinless life, revealed the Father, performed miracles, died as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, was bodily resurrected, ascended to heaven, and now intercedes for believers. I believe He will personally and visibly return to establish His kingdom and fulfill all of God's promises.

The Holy Spirit

I believe the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; regenerates those who place their faith in Christ; indwells every believer; seals believers for the day of redemption; and empowers believers for godly living, service, and witness.

Humanity and Sin

I believe mankind was created in the image of God and for His glory. Through Adam's disobedience, sin entered the world, and all people are born sinners by nature and by choice. Apart from God's grace, humanity is spiritually separated from God and unable to save itself.

Salvation

I believe salvation is entirely a work of God's grace and is received through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Christ's death on the cross fully satisfied God's righteous judgment against sin, and His resurrection secured victory over death. All who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are forgiven, justified, adopted into God's family, and granted eternal life. Salvation cannot be earned through good works, religious activity, or human merit.

Eternal Security

I believe that all who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ are eternally secure because salvation rests upon God's grace and faithfulness rather than human effort. Believers may have assurance of salvation based upon the promises of God's Word.

The Church

I believe the Church is the body and bride of Christ, composed of all believers from every nation and generation. The local church exists to glorify God through worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism, and service. Christ has commissioned His Church to make disciples of all nations and to proclaim the gospel until His return.

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

I believe baptism by immersion is an act of obedience for those who have trusted Christ and serves as a public testimony of identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. I believe the Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ's sacrificial death and a reminder of His promised return.

Future Things

I believe Jesus Christ will personally and bodily return to fulfill God's prophetic program, establish His kingdom, and judge the living and the dead. I believe in the bodily resurrection of both believers and unbelievers, eternal life for those who have trusted in Christ, and eternal separation from God for those who reject Him.

My Ministry Commitment

My commitment is to teach God's Word accurately, expositionally, and in its proper context; to make disciples who love Christ and obey His commands; and to equip believers to develop a biblical worldview so they may faithfully serve God in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.

Ministry Philosophy

My ministry philosophy is rooted in the conviction that the local church exists to glorify God by making disciples who know Christ, love His Word, walk in obedience, and serve others faithfully. I believe ministry must be grounded in the authority of Scripture, centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit, and carried out in the context of authentic Christian community.

Biblical Teaching

I believe the Word of God is central to the life and health of the church. My preferred approach to teaching is expository, seeking to explain the meaning of Scripture in its proper grammatical, historical, and theological context and then helping people apply God's truth to everyday life. The goal of teaching is not merely the transfer of information, but spiritual transformation that leads believers to worship God, trust Christ, obey His Word, and live with eternal purpose.

Discipleship

I believe discipleship is the ongoing process of helping people grow into maturity in Christ. This includes teaching sound doctrine, encouraging spiritual disciplines, developing biblical wisdom, strengthening relationships within the body of Christ, and equipping believers to serve according to their gifts. A healthy church should help people move from attendance to engagement, from knowledge to obedience, and from receiving ministry to participating in ministry.

Leadership Development

I believe one of the responsibilities of church leaders is to identify, equip, and encourage faithful men and women who can serve Christ and His church. Ministry should be intentionally multiplied through trained leaders, healthy teams, and shared ownership of the mission. My desire is to help develop leaders who are biblically grounded, spiritually mature, humble, teachable, and committed to serving others for the glory of God.

Pastoral Care and Community

I believe the church should be a place where people are known, loved, encouraged, challenged, and cared for. Pastoral ministry includes teaching truth, but it also includes praying for people, walking with them through seasons of joy and sorrow, helping them bear burdens, and pointing them continually to the sufficiency of Christ. Authentic Christian community is essential for spiritual growth and faithful perseverance.

Mission and Great Commission Focus

I believe the church has been commissioned by Christ to make disciples of all nations. This mission begins in the local congregation and extends to the community and the world. Every ministry of the church should ultimately serve the purpose of helping people know Christ, grow in Christ, and make Christ known. Faithful ministry should equip believers to live as witnesses in their homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

My Ministry Commitment

My commitment is to serve Christ and His church by faithfully teaching Scripture, developing disciples, encouraging leaders, and helping ministries become more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. I desire to use the gifts and experiences God has entrusted to me to strengthen churches, equip believers, and help others grow in a biblical, authentic, and contagious relationship with the Triune God of the Holy Scriptures.

Leadership & Ministry Development

Throughout my ministry and professional career, God has provided opportunities to lead teams, develop leaders, guide organizations through change, and equip believers for effective ministry. While biblical teaching remains central to my calling, I am equally passionate about helping individuals, ministry leaders, and churches develop healthy leadership practices that support long-term spiritual growth and ministry effectiveness.

My leadership experience spans local church ministry, higher education, and more than three decades of corporate management and technology leadership. These experiences have reinforced my conviction that effective leadership is rooted in biblical principles, servant leadership, clear communication, intentional discipleship, and a commitment to developing others.

Areas of Leadership Experience

  • Church Leadership and Administration
  • Discipleship Ministry Development
  • Life Group and Small Group Ministries
  • Leadership Development and Mentoring
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Building and Organizational Development
  • Capital Campaign Leadership
  • Volunteer Recruitment and Training
  • Curriculum Development
  • Change Management and Organizational Growth

Ministry Leadership

As Executive Co-Senior Pastor of Firewheel Bible Fellowship, I helped lead a growing congregation through strategic planning initiatives, ministry expansion, leadership development, budgeting, staff leadership, and church operations. During this time, I participated in a successful capital campaign and helped guide the acquisition and renovation of a multi-million-dollar ministry campus.

I have also led and supported discipleship ministries, small groups, Bible studies, ministry teams, and leadership development efforts in multiple church settings. My desire has always been to equip others for ministry and help leaders multiply their influence through biblical discipleship and servant leadership.

Professional Leadership

In addition to ministry leadership, I have spent more than thirty years serving in leadership roles within the technology industry, including software development, project leadership, team management, and other leadership positions. These experiences have provided valuable insight into organizational effectiveness, strategic planning, communication, mentoring, and team development that can be applied within ministry environments.

Leadership Philosophy

I believe leadership is stewardship. Christian leaders are entrusted with opportunities to influence others for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. Effective leaders model humility, integrity, servant-heartedness, and faithfulness while helping others discover and develop their God-given gifts. Leadership is not about position or authority; it is about serving others, developing people, and helping organizations fulfill their God-given mission.

My Commitment

My goal is to help churches, ministries, leaders, and believers become more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission by developing healthy leaders, strengthening discipleship efforts, and fostering biblically grounded ministry practices that produce lasting spiritual impact.

Education

God has blessed me with opportunities to pursue both theological and technical education. These experiences have shaped my ministry philosophy, teaching approach, leadership style, and commitment to lifelong learning. I am grateful for the professors, mentors, churches, and institutions that invested in my development and helped prepare me for service in the local church, higher education, and the workplace.

Dallas Theological Seminary

Master of Theology (ThM), with Honors
Christian Education
Dallas, Texas
2008

Dallas Theological Seminary provided rigorous graduate-level training in biblical studies, theology, church history, and ministry leadership. My concentration in Christian Education focused on discipleship, leadership development, teaching methodology, spiritual formation, curriculum development, and equipping believers for effective ministry. My seminary experience reinforced my conviction that biblical teaching should lead to spiritual transformation and faithful obedience to Christ.

Southern Polytechnic State University

Master of Science (MS), Computer Science
Marietta, Georgia
1995

Graduate studies in Computer Science strengthened my analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, research skills, and technical expertise. The discipline required in engineering and technology has proven valuable in both ministry leadership and educational settings.

Bachelor of Science (BS), Computer Science
Marietta, Georgia
1991

My undergraduate studies provided a strong foundation in software development, systems analysis, mathematics, and technology. These skills later opened opportunities for collegiate instruction, corporate leadership, and technology-related ministry initiatives.

Additional Training

Graduate Teaching Diploma
Evangelical Training Association

Additional ministry training has included leadership development, discipleship ministries, adult education, small-group ministry, teacher training, church leadership, and ongoing theological study through conferences, seminars, personal research, and extensive teaching preparation.

Commitment to Lifelong Learning

I believe effective ministry leaders and teachers should remain lifelong learners. Throughout my career, I have continued to study Scripture, theology, leadership, discipleship, apologetics, and educational methodology. My goal is to continually grow in my understanding of God's Word so that I may more effectively teach, disciple, mentor, and equip others for faithful service to Christ.

Download My Ministry Resume (PDF)

Ministry Résumé

David Stephen Bearden

Pastor • Teacher • Discipleship Leader • Christian Educator
Cumming, Georgia
214.212.2316
[email protected]
www.davidbearden.org

Ministry Profile

Pastor, teacher, and discipleship leader with more than thirty-five years of ministry leadership and teaching experience. Graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a ThM in Christian Education, with honors. Experienced in expository Bible teaching, adult discipleship, leadership development, curriculum development, pastoral ministry, and church administration. Passionate about helping believers grow in biblical understanding, spiritual maturity, and ministry effectiveness.

Ministry Expertise

  • Expository Bible Teaching
  • Adult Discipleship
  • Christian Education
  • Leadership Development
  • Small Group Ministry
  • Curriculum Development
  • Apologetics
  • Ministry Strategy

Ministry Experience

First Redeemer Church — Cumming, Georgia

Connection Group Teacher, Life Group Teacher, Deacon, and Redeemer Bible Institute Advisory Board Member
2016–Present

  • Develop and teach Bible, theology, discipleship, and Christian living curriculum in adult ministry settings.
  • Lead an adult discipleship ministry that has grown from two participants to more than ninety regular attenders.
  • Serve as a deacon, ministering to assigned families through prayer, encouragement, and practical care.
  • Serve on the Redeemer Bible Institute advisory board and assist in theological education and leadership development.

Firewheel Bible Fellowship — Rowlett, Texas

Executive Co-Senior Pastor, Pastor of Community and Discipleship, Life Groups Director
2007–2014

  • Co-led a congregation of approximately 500 adults, students, and children during a significant season of transition and growth.
  • Directed adult discipleship, community ministries, staff leadership, budgeting, strategic planning, and church operations.
  • Led a $1 million capital campaign and helped guide the acquisition and renovation of a $4.5 million ministry campus.
  • Developed and taught courses in Bible, theology, apologetics, discipleship, and Christian living.

Additional Church Leadership

  • Deacon — First Redeemer Church
  • Elder — Stonecreek Church
  • Deacon — Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
  • Spiritual Formation Group Leader — Dallas Theological Seminary
  • Jail Ministry Volunteer — Forsyth County Jail

University Teaching Experience

Dallas Baptist University

Adjunct Instructor
2005–2014

  • Taught undergraduate computer science courses including Introduction to Computers and Data Structures.
  • Developed instructional materials and supported students in academic and professional growth.

Southern Polytechnic State University

Adjunct Instructor
1997–2004

  • Taught C++, Programming Principles, Data Structures, and C Programming.
  • Helped students develop problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and technical communication skills.

Education

ThM, with Honors
Christian Education
Dallas Theological Seminary
2008

MS
Computer Science
Southern Polytechnic State University
1995

BS
Computer Science
Southern Polytechnic State University
1991

Ministry Philosophy

I believe the mission of the church is to glorify God by making disciples who love Christ, know His Word, and faithfully serve others. My passion is teaching Scripture expositionally, helping believers develop a biblical worldview, and equipping leaders who can multiply their influence within the local church.

Helping believers understand God's Word, develop a biblical worldview, and faithfully follow Jesus Christ.