David W. Long, pastor of Lafayette, Ind., RPC for over 31 years, entered into his heavenly rest on Jan. 9, 2016, after a 9-month battle with melanoma. Dave was 60 years old, and left behind his beloved wife, Jenny, five children, three children-in-law, and six grandchildren. Dave was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on Oct. 2, 1955, to Bill and Jean Long. He has two siblings, Becky (Colin) Leatherbury and Bruce (Jenny) Long.

Dave graduated from Carmel High School in 1974 and received his bachelor’s degree from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, in 1978. While he attended Indiana University he met Jennifer Dickinson, who would become his wife on June 9, 1979.

During college, Dave became involved with the Navigators ministry through the mentoring of Ken Larson. Ken was a man of God who discipled Dave in his growing faith in the Lord, and Ken and Dave became good friends for the rest of their days together. It was the Navigators style of ministry that sparked Dave’s passion about seeing others trained and raised up for the ministry.

Later, because of the encouragement from Pastor Roy Blackwood and the mentoring of his new friend Pastor Keith Magill, Dave began pursuing pastoral ministry. God not only used these men to direct Dave into the pastorate, but also used these relationships to guide the Longs into a lifetime of service together in the RPCNA.

Shortly after college and marriage, Dave began his graduate work at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa., acquiring his master of divinity degree in 1984. Immediately after graduation, Dave was called to serve as the pastor of Lafayette RPC, which was at that time located in West Lafayette, Ind. He was ordained and installed in June 1984.

When the congregation relocated across the river to its present building, Dave stayed with the congregation, faithfully serving as senior pastor for over 31 years. Here, Dave and Jenny honed their love and abilities as disciplemakers, especially of college students, seeking converts for Christ and training laborers for His kingdom. Dave’s loyalty to Indiana University was unwavering even though Lafayette RPC was located in Purdue country, but his love for the campus and surrounding area was evident in his gentle guidance and pastoral care.

During their years in seminary and pastoral ministry, Dave and Jenny’s five children were born. His oldest son, Daniel, is married to Martha (Anderson) Long, and they have two children, Emerson and Scarlett. Their next is daughter, Christy (Long) Nelson, who is married to Ken Nelson, and together they have Adalyn, Mya, Owen, and Victor. Katie (Long) Walker, their third child, is married to Ben Walker. Dave and Jenny’s fourth child is Stephen, and their fifth is Jonathan.

Not only was Dave committed to his family and his church family, but also he labored faithfully for the RPCNA at the presbytery and denominational level. Having a heart and gift for missions, Dave served on the Global Mission Board since 1994, 13 years of which he served as board president. During that time, he traveled acrosss the world to support, encourage, counsel, and equip the missionaries who were overseen by the board. It was under his leadership that the RPCNA began the work in South Sudan and pioneered the works in Pakistan and India. Dave also lead the Education & Publication Board during a time of transition for four years as president.

Recognizing his obvious gifts as a leader, the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery elected Dave to moderate the presbytery during a challenging year, knowing that he would navigate the potential difficulties with care and grace. The denomination also publicly recognized his leadership ability and efficiency by electing him moderator of Synod in 2012.

In all of his labors for his denomination, presbytery, congregation, and family, Dave was serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was for Christ’s honor and glory that Dave tirelessly labored for the advance of the kingdom of heaven; and after serving the purpose of God in his own generation, Pastor David W. Long, disciple of Jesus, fell asleep, and now is in the presence of His Lord.

—Pastor Keith Evans