Crozet Baptist Church

Rev. David Collyer,
Co-Pastor
david@crozetchurch.org

Laura Tadlock, Children's Ministry Intern
laura@crozetchurch.org

Tracey Pugh, Youth Ministry Intern
tracey@crozetchurch.org
youthgroup@crozetchurch.org

A little about David ...

Where were you born?
I was born in Albany, Georgia. My mom was born and raised in a small town near there. My dad was born in New York and grew up in the Bronx.

What did your parents do for a living?
My mother worked for Southern Bell telephone and telegraph company from the age of eighteen until she retired after forty years. My dad worked for a regional auto parts firm as the advertising manager.

Tell us about your family?
My wife Susan and I have been married for twenty-eight years. I'm an only child and Susan has a younger brother. We have four cats: two we chose, that live indoors, and two who just recently chose us, that live outside.

What's in your cd player?
Interacciones (Spanish 201 laboratory audio cd). I like a variety of music. I listen to everything from the Samuel Barber Adagio to Nine Inch Nails. In the car my radio pretty much stays on National Public Radio.

What's your favorite sporting event to watch in the Olympics?
Volleyball - the indoor version.

What was your first job?
At age 11, I worked in my uncle's grocery store, cleaning and stocking shelves, cutting meat, bagging groceries, etc., for twenty-five cents an hour.

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to attend the United States Air Force Academy and become an astronaut.

What's your favorite movie?
It's very tough to narrow it down to one. I guess I'll say, Ground Hog Day or The Matrix.

What's one goal you have for the coming year?
I want to spend some quality time with as many of the active participants of Crozet Baptist as I can.

What's your idea of a perfect day?
Hiking with Susan to Angel's Landing in Zion National Park.

What's your definition of a retreat?
A retreat is any time or place that one is able to think about something other than the daily concerns of life, or at least to consider the daily concerns of life in a creative, unconventional way.

What do you look for in a close friend?
I look for someone who is not afraid of intellectual debate, who is well read and interested in a variety of subjects. I look for someone who will help me to become a better person.

What are some of your biggest challenges?
1. Being tactful
2. Staying focused
3. Being clear and succinct

What do you think makes a good leader?
Some of the qualities of leadership will vary from situation to situation depending on the goals that a group is trying to achieve. In the context of a Christian church, a good leader must possess a firm set of core beliefs, and a clear understanding of what's right and important. A good leader must have an intimate knowledge and understanding of the people that he or she is trying to lead. A good leader will create the kinds of quality relationships that will allow for the modeling, encouragement and admonition needed to accomplesh group goals and to grow healthy, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Colleen Swingle-Titus,
Co-Pastor
colleen@crozetchurch.org

Deborah Harding,
Office Administrator
deb@crozetchurch.org

-

and Colleen.

Where were you born?
Ullyses, Kansas. Though I consider Crawfordsville, Indiana, my hometown.

What did your parents do for a living?
My dad, Howard (a Purdue University Agriculture major), managed Dekalb Seed Corn plants. My mom, Alice, was an Administrator; for most of my childhood she was the Office Manager for Dr. Baird, our family physician.

Tell us about your family?
I am the youngest of three girls(we all now live in Virginia!). I married Paul Titus, Esq., July 31, 1993. I have four children: Matthew Wade ('85), Zachary Wade ('88), and Morgan Wade('89), and Maxwell Titus ('06). We are the proud owners of a funny little pooch, Dobie, a few furry barn dwelling cats, and our much beloved flock of chickens!

What's in your cd player?
The Decemberists, Sting's remix of oldies entitled, Symphonicities, and an OK Go compilation

What's your favorite sporting event to watch in the Olympics?
It used to be ice skating, but probably now, gymnastics.

What was your first job?
I worked in the Indiana fields detasseling corn. It was a hot and sweaty job - involving sunburn, corn poisoning and minimum wage.

What was your childhood ambition?
To compete in the Olympics in track and field. I DID feel a call to the ministry at the age of eight, but I didn't think girls could vocationally serve in the church in any way other than as nuns. I was not Catholic and even at eight years old I knew that a husband was in my future.

What's your favorite movie?
Some quirky family faves: Cold Comfort Farm, Moulin Rouge, Young Frankenstein and Love Actually.

What's one goal you have for the coming year?
Finding more time to breathe in my blessings!

What's your idea of a perfect day?
A day that would involve relaxed, unhurried time with family and friends - great background music and nature-filled views (be it mountains, the lake, or farm land). Food, good food, is always a plus with a nice glass of whatever goes best.

What's your definition of a retreat?
Two: a Havana roof top, and in my jammies on the farm.

What do you look for in a close friend?
Depth, ability to laugh at self and me, compassion, courage, grace, most importantly authenticity.

What are your biggest challenges?
Doing what I feel is right, yet being concerned about popular opinion (THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR BAPTIST PASTORS). Secondly, remaining authentic to who I am. I know that most would say that this seems to be a challenge I have overcome. CBC is blessed with a good sense of humor and a heart filled with compassion. I believe the joy of a soul overflowing is a gift to an often far too cynical world.

What do you think makes a good leader?
"Integrity and authenticity. Know who you are and do not try to be someone else." That is a quote from a friend of mine, Rev. Brian Hughes. But I would also say, do and say the right thing when it needs to be said. It helps to keep in mind the Gary Lew quote, "This is your world. Shape it or someone else will!"