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Pastor Gregory Allen Dawson was born February 28, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he met the former Carmen Maria Davila in September of 1982. He married her in January of 1984, and shortly thereafter, enlisted in the Air Force where he served for 20 years. In October of 1988 he received an assignment to Belgium. During this time he was invited to Calvary Baptist Church. He accepted the invitation and on February 3, 1991 he and his wife accepted Christ as personal Savior at Calvary Baptist Church pastored by Dr. Craig Bennett. "I knew the Lord was dealing with me about preaching," said Pastor Dawson, and he finally surrendered to preach the Gospel of Christ in September of 1994, at a revival meeting in Belgium. While stationed in Belgium, he had the privilege of coordinating worship services in Belgium, Turkey, Africa, Dominican Republic, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and ministering to numerous Europeans. In November of 1999 he was assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where he joined Bethel Baptist Church. As he ministered to youth, he felt God dealing with him about church planting. After much prayer, he consulted with Pastor Nelson. As they prayed together, God began to open doors for a new work to begin. On September 30, 2001, Shining Light Baptist Church met for the first time as a mission of Bethel Baptist Church under the supervision of Pastor Ed Nelson. Pastor Dawson was later ordained into the Gospel ministry in January 2002. Pastor Dawson's greatest motivational drives are his call to preach, teaching others, seeing Christians mature and the joy of having his wife and son by his side. Pastor Dawson relaxes by watching "old fashioned" cartoons like Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry, The Flintstones, The Three Stooges and The Little Rascals. He enjoys spending quiet time with his wife Carmen and newborn son Gregory Allen Dawson II. Biking, fishing and spending time watching his tropical aquarium are other interests of Pastor Dawson. Pastor Dawson's mentors are first and foremost the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God, but also Dr. Craig Bennett, Dr. Lou Baldwin and Dr. Ed Nelson. Pastor Dawson's life verse is Joshua 24:15, "...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Pastor Dawson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology and is currently working on his Masters Degree. |