Dan
Howard
Growing up in the central valley, Dan moved to the Chicago area for 10 years and found himself moving back to the place he has loved since 2002. He has been a pastor here and elsewhere for over 35 years. Currently, Dan serves as the senior pastor (interim) at Community Bible Church in beautiful Waterford.
Dan has a master's degree and is working on his dissertation for a doctorate (Golden Gate Seminary and Phoenix Seminary). He has worked in various roles in ministry over the years including stents in this area pastoring at Crosspoint Church, Big Valley Grace Church, and Redeemer Church. He has also taught in public and private schools for a few years. He has always had a huge heart and burden for youth in this area.
Dan's passion is to see people discover how deeply God loves them and how each person, created in the image of God, has a valuable purpose on this earth. He loves the central valley with all its issues, problems, and complications due to the people. This area is a mix of ethnic and cultural diversity but with a commonality of love and care. People in this area really care deeply for one another and for our community.
He has been married for almost 33 years to the love of his life Trish and is a dad to two beautiful adult children Kayla (working at Arizona Christian University) and Danyelle (married and working at Grand Canyon University).
Why did you choose to be a board member of LSC?
God is transforming our communities. I think of it like a wave of love. I always want to "grab my surfboard" and ride that wave when I see it and Love Stanislaus County is a major part of that ocean swell. It is so cool to be a part of that in a small way.
What do you love most about being on the LSC board?
The relationships with others who want to make their lives count and make a difference in their world.
What do you love most about living in Stanislaus County?
To come to the community, the way Jesus did, with a servant heart and a towel draped over your arm is such a great thing when most people see Christians as in it for their own agenda.
In what ways do you participate in the community?
I am involved in a couple of faith based advisory teams, I stay connected to pastors in the area, many I have known for years and who are asking the right questions. I have a network of relationships of people I consider friends who are making circles of significant impact in their particular areas of calling.