David L. Hansen

Growing up, David got a front row seat to learn about leadership, watching how the ministry and leadership of both his father and grandfather positively shaped many communities of faith. He serves as Pastor of Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church in The Woodlands, TX (outside of Houston), where he lives with his wife Megan, their daughter, and their herd of cats. Spirit of Joy! is an energetic congregation, inviting people to deeper faith and meaningful community.

David felt the call to ordained ministry early in his life. After studying theology at Roanoke College, he received his Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). His pastoral internship was in the suburbs of Northern Virginia, and he did one year of additional study at the Lutheran School of Theology at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary).

In 2006, David was ordained as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. His first pastoral assignment was to St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, a rural congregation just outside of Brenham, Texas. After 8 years in Brenham, David was called to lead a congregation through a comprehensive renewal of its purpose, ministry, and mission (a process called “redevelopment” in the ELCA). As the Director of Communication and Innovation for LEAD: Living Every Day As Disciples, David helps other congregations to experience renewal and revitalization in their ministry.

When not preaching and teaching for the Lutheran diaspora in Texas, David is helping to invite the church into the digital age – teaching congregations and leaders to make use of online tools for ministry. For the last ten years he has helped congregations and church leaders use new tools to share the old story of Jesus and to build community; teaching at synod assemblies, the ELCA Youth Worker Extravaganza, training events for congregations in renewal, and many other events; including consulting and coaching one on one with congregations and individual leaders.  He has also published and presented on how intergenerational relationships can transform communities of faith.

Above all else, David is passionate about helping the church to share the Good News with the world.