Possessing a naturally inquisitive nature, David Noland is a Christian writer who has made his home in Austin, TX for the last 8 years along with his bride, Sara. He is a Christian layman, father, and grandfather. He is a passionate traveler, self-described foodie, and amateur photographer. David has a vast background of experiences, but nothing more important than his experience as a child of the Living God. His story is one of overcoming various challenges, personal defeats, and survival. Ultimately it is the story of a prodigal seeking to please his Abba Father.
From Thriving to Tragedy
In the late spring of 1990, David graduated with honors from his local rural Louisiana high school with a promising future ahead as he looked forward to leaving home for college. In spite of his academic achievements, David struggled with a hearing impairment that left him searching for his own identity and place in the world. He had grown up, like most kids in this area, attending a small rural Baptist church. However, his spiritual journey did not begin until May 12, 1990 – less than week after his graduation as he was driving home from his first job interview.
This sunny day, David decided to go on a brief joyride down an unfamiliar road. Within moments, he found himself in a head-on collision with another vehicle as part of an accident that claimed the life of a young woman and severely injured her mother. It was in that moment that He finally understood all of the messages that he had listened to every Sunday. Most prominently was the message of Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That day, David surrendered his life to being a Christ follower and thus began a change that would turn his world upside down.
From Mission to Mistaken
Over the next several years, David took advantage of opportunities to travel across the country and around the world during his summer breaks from school – taking part in short-term missionary opportunities in Arizona, Hong Kong, Mexico, and South Louisiana. However, due to a lack of discipleship training during these years, he began to experience personal spiritual frustration. Out of anger, he dropped out of college, abandoned his faith, and moved a state away to San Antonio, TX.
Redemption Draws Near
In 1997, during this wilderness wandering period, the Rev. Billy Graham came to San Antonio for one of his crusades. During that week, several of David’s co-workers from various Christian backgrounds demonstrated faithfulness and grace and drew David back into fellowship, the last of whom would later become his wife, Sara. Together they have raised 3 daughters and a son, and now have 8 grandchildren and 2 cats.
Onward and Upward
Today David and Sara are preparing for missionary work by attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX while they remotely fellowship with their home church Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, TX. Professionally, David works as a Customer Experience Analyst for a large digital experience platform tech firm. He has written and self-published one book and is a passionate advocate for human trafficking victims. Sara is currently working towards a certificate in Biblical Counseling and has previously worked for Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas – Thrive in Round Rock, TX.