In 2008, David noticed his abdomen felt abnormally large and heavy. He asked his doctor for a scan but was told to go on a diet and exercise more, which he did. Six months later, doctors discovered and removed a basketball-sized tumor and extra fluid in his abdomen, a total of 25 pounds. His health improved and he went on several more mission trips over the following years, but in 2015, David’s cancer returned. This time nothing worked, and he got progressively weaker.

In 2017, David passed away. He left his home and most of his retirement to Maranatha for the construction of One-Day Churches in Africa. To date, David’s generosity has sponsored more than 300 One-Day Churches in four countries.

David’s legacy has potentially impacted up to 28,000 people who now have a place to worship or will meet Jesus in a church he funded. “He said he wanted to live a lot longer because he wanted to keep helping people,” David’s brother Don says. “The truth is that he did continue helping people, even after he was gone.”