David Gentiles

Our most beloved, faithful friend and brother, David Anthony Gentiles, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2009, just before 9:00 p.m. in Austin, TX. Surrounded by family and loved ones, David went to be with God peacefully. 


David Gentiles was a pastor at Journey IFC from 2005 until his untimely passing in 2009.  We remember his infectious laughter and his ready tears with equal fondness. 

David grew up in Louisiana, then received his B.S. from Baylor University in 1972. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his M.A. in Religious Education in 1975.

While at Baylor, he served as Youth Minister of Park Memorial Baptist Church, Waco, from November of 1970 to December of 1972. He then served as Minister of Evangelism and Youth at Glen Oaks Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA, from 1973 to 1977. He served as Minister of Youth at Barksdale Baptist Church in Bossier City, LA, from 1977 to 1983.

David and his family then moved to Pearland, Texas, where he served as Minister of Youth at First Baptist Church of Pearland from 1983 until 1988. For two years, from 1988 until 1990, David served both as a Special Education teacher in the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, and as Associate Pastor at Covenant Baptist Church San Antonio - the church where Gordon Atkinson, a.k.a. Real Live Preacher, was pastor.

From 1990 until 1993, David served as Minister of Youth at Hunter's Glen Baptist Church of Plano, Texas. David then was Minister of Youth at Riverbend Church of Austin, Texas, from 1993 until August of 2005. David also served as Riverbend's Singles Minister from 1997-2000.

In addition to his commitment to working with young people in their spiritual life, David was also passionate about reaching out to those in need. He participated in/led mission trips in South Korea, China, Haiti, Russia, Germany and the Netherlands, Panama, Honduras, and Mexico. David also led missions trips in many cities and states in the US, including Chicago, Houston, the Appalachians, New Mexico, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Wyoming, and Louisiana.

He was the co-anchor of the ground-breaking "Faith in the Game" Radio broadcast on ESPN Radio/ Austin. He  served as Chaplain for Rapha Treatment Centers and for the Collin County Crisis Pregnancy Center. He helped pioneer the OPTS program for the NISD in San Antonio, which sought to graduate high-risk, emotionally disturbed high school students by training and placing them in community employment situations in the San Antonio area.

David was the speaker/retreat leader for numerous youth retreats, camps, Disciple Now Weekends and youth events in the last 35 years. He was the speaker for Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings and events in Louisiana and Texas. He led Seminars at the Texas State Single Adult Conference for 5 years at and various other single parent seminars around the state. He has led Sunday School conferences on Youth Sunday School both on the state, national and associational levels. David is also an accomplished writer of Bible Study and Sunday School curriculum. He was also a gifted singer and worship leader.

Because of his deep interest in the issues facing the 21st century church, David attended international conferences on postmodernity and emerging church ministries. He maintained friendships with people in many denominations, of all ages, in every kind of ministry, and with many different perspectives and views. He was a shepherd for thousands of people in their spiritual journeys and  without peer in his depth of commitment to his faith and to serving others.


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