Frostburg pastor shares ‘life lessons’ in local community paper

By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent

FROSTBURG, Md.—David Sandvick, pastor of First English Church, Frostburg, uses everyday quirky happenings in his and his family’s life as spiritual illustrations in his weekly column, “Life Lessons on Faith” in the Cumberland Times. Readers chuckle over Sandvick’s childhood misadventures on his mini-bike, they shake their heads in empathy as the pastor tells how he and his wife sat through three hours in a misty rain waiting for their daughter to do one four-second jump at a track meet, and they nod in understanding as he shares his frustration at finding Darth Vader Christmas ornaments, but none honoring Jesus. Each of his articles ends with an encouragement for readers to find a local church or to honor Jesus in some way. Each column is lighthearted, yet challenging.

“Local people often tell me they’re clipping the columns and sending them to loved ones. Some churches use them in their newsletters,” Sandvick said. His picture runs next to his column, so oftentimes people in the community recognize him.

“I’m a celebrity in the local Food Lion,” he said with a chuckle.

Sandvick initiated the idea for a column by sending a letter asking Jan Alderton, managing editor of the Cumberland Times, if he’d be interested in a light religious based column. Alderton said he’d try it. That was seven years ago. Since that time, Sandvick’s written over 300 weekly columns. The column runs in the “Frostburg Express” regional section of the paper and is distributed to 8,000 homes.

Though a few people have visited the church after reading the column, Sandvick said that really isn’t the purpose of writing it. He’s really just sharing some spiritual perspectives in a non-threatening way and allowing God to use them in whatever venue He chooses.   

Alderton said he’s really pleased with Sandvick’s columns and that he gets positive feedback from readers.

“I’ve seen a lot of religion columns, but I like his. It’s always humorous but has a good message in it as well. He comes up with some clever ideas,” Alderton said.

Sandvick is home-grown. He was born and raised in Frostburg and was saved when he was six years old while attending Eckhart Baptist Church. He received his bachelor’s degree in Bible education at Washington Bible College. 

He and his wife, Candy, have been married for 28 years. The couple has two daughters, Katie and Kimberly. In his spare time Sandvick enjoys riding bikes on the Allegheny Trail, practicing his “very amateur magician” acts and collecting comic books. He’s been pastoring First English Church since 1991. 

Read one of David Sandvick’s columns below. For more, visit the church’s website at www.firstenglishbaptistchurch.org.

FIRST PERSON: Memories of my father

By David Sandvick, Pastor of First English Church, Frostburg, Md.

It was a 1969 Chevy Impala, I believe. Yes, I remember it well. My dad was driving, or was it my mom?  Well, it doesn’t really matter who was driving. I remember we were headed up Old Route 40, or was it up Parkersburg Road. Yes, that was it. My dad was driving up Parkersburg Road just as if it were yesterday. I was riding my 10-speed bike along side the car. That’s right. Dad was towing me up the hill to the top of Parkersburg Road. I remember it so clearly.

I held on to the passenger side door with my left hand while steering my bike with my right. We must have been going 25 miles an hour, or was it ten? Well, no matter. Yes, it’s true, and I do remember it well. One of those exhilarating moments in time that seems frozen in my mind from 35 years ago. Dad may not have always made the best decisions regarding safety issues, but he sure knew what would bring a smile to his son. 

As I think back on life with my dad, I realize that those times I remember most are moments like the one described here. Times when I thought to myself, “Hey, my dad’s pretty cool!” Or, “I bet no other dads would let their kid do this.” I had these  thoughts even though my teen-age reasoning was pretty sure that no parent was cool, especially my own.

This Father’s Day, I will think back to some of those pleasant memories with my dad and I will also reflect on more recent memories with my own children. And although I’ve never pulled them helmet-less along side the car on their bikes, I hope that on Sunday they think that their dad is pretty cool, even though all their instincts tell them otherwise and all evidence is to the contrary. Happy Father’s Day.