Hello, my name is David Banks. I have been in Texas most of my life, growing up in the North Houston area and going to college at Stephen F. Austin State University, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services, '92. I attended Perkins School of Theology, at Southern Methodist University, where I received my Master of Divinity, '98. From 2009-2012 I was blessed to have the chance to complete my Doctorate with Len Sweet and a great cohort. In addition, I am being shaped by my incredible wife, Amy (Leavell) Banks and two children, a daughter named Casey and a son named Ryan.

While attending Stephen F. Austin State University I answered my call to ministry and began to seek a better understanding of what that exactly was. I began working with students and after serving with some fantastic and faithful men and women, I now serve as the Pastor at Emory Methodist Church. We have lived in a number of places, but Emory and Northeast Texas area is a great place to call home. We are doing an incredible thing here and invite you to come see what God is doing in Rains County.

I believe we always seek to understand who we are our task is to understand what Christ has called us to. I have been fortunate to be able to explore that call by working with student ministries, Senior Ministries and even spending a summer working on an archeological dig in Ashkelon, Israel. For about 5 years, I wrote daily and weekly e-votionals, which I found I really loved. Spending time one on one, along with preaching are my passions in ministry. But more than that, it is watching as someone comes to understand what exactly God is doing in their own life that is my true love.

I enjoy many things. I love spending time with my family, enjoying the outdoors, fishing, camping, all types of sports and even collecting old Methodist memorabilia. If you find yourself in or near Emory, please accept this invitation to stop by for a visit.