About Dr. David Powell

Dr. David Powell retired in 1984 from full-time ministry for the United Methodist Church and a more than 30-year career in the United States Navy. Chaplain Dave and his wife, Joyce, made their retirement home Hide-A-Way Lake, Texas. Dr. Powell served as an Associate Minister for Missions and Evangelism with First United Methodist Church of Lindale (renamed ChristPoint Methodist Church Lindale). 

Dr. Powell's ministry incorporated a deep dedication to his extended community, to whom he provided countless hours of fellowship and ministry through counseling and visitation. What started in a small cabinet of canned goods and clothing behind his desk to offer visitors in need, grew into the We Care Thrift Store - Lindale and the development of what was later named the David Powell Community Food Pantry of Lindale, Texas. Dr. Powell also was active in the Masonic Order and the Shrine, served as Chaplain General of the United States for the Military Order of World Wars, and served as President of the East Texas Chapter of the Retired Officers' Association. 

 

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A Life of Service.

 

Dr. Powell's professional positions included retail merchant, naval officer, pastor, chaplain, psychologist, writer, and missionary. Among the degrees he earned were a graduate divinity degree from Boston University and a PhD in Pastoral Psychology. As a retail merchant, he served nearly ten years with Sears, Roebuck & Co, and then became a Navy Reserve Supply Officer. He was founding pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On active duty as a Navy Chaplain, Dr. Powell served in hospitals, shipyards, air stations and eleven overseas deployments, including service in the Vietnam conflict. Prior to his retirement from the Chaplain Corps, Dr. Powell served the surface Navy, Marine Corps and Seabees. Dr. Powell's professional career spanned 37 countries in 45 years. 

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Dr. Powell died in 2004, but his legacy of service and care continues.

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