Pastor Dave’s Story

David Guy Adams was born on September 25th, 1958 to Jack Emery Adams and Marie Estelle Adams in Burien Washington. The youngest of 3 children.

Dave grew up in the south end of Seattle in a house built by his dad and where he lived with his Mom until he was 20 years old.

Dave graduated from Foster High School in 1976.

While still in high school Dave was invited to church by a high school friend. There he was taught about Jesus and Baptized in to Christ on April 16, 1975 by Darrell Chase Sr.  He attended Riverton- Glenn Acres Church of Christ from 1975 to 1978

In February 1978 Dave moved to Spokane, WA

Dave bought his first house in Spokane in 1979.

He met Tammy at a singles retreat in Camby Grove, Oregon in November of 1981 and they dated long-distance until Tammy moved to Spokane in November of 1982

Dave proposed in January of 1983, and they were married on June 18, 1983, and were happily married for over 33 years.

Dave worked many jobs in his late high school and college years to pay the bills. After moving to Spokane, Dave worked full time while he attended Eastern Washington Bible College from 1980-1985. Graduating on November 17th 1985, with Bachelor of Sacred Literature. While still finishing up his degree Dave was ordained into ministry as a Minister of Gospel of Jesus Christ on September 30, 1984 at Sunrise Church of Christ. Dave started working for Sunrise Church of Christ as an Associate Minister to Myron Wells. 

Dave and Tammy along with the leadership of Sunrise laid plans to begin a church in the Spokane Valley that kicked off the first Sunday of July, 1985. The church was in a storefront building on East Sprague Ave for the first five years. Then moved to an old church building that was converted into a wedding chapel on Argonne Avenue in Spokane Valley. With the move the name changed to Argonne Church of Christ.

In April of 1986 Dave and Tammy signed papers to purchase a house in the Spokane valley.

Three of the best days in Dave and Tammy’s lives were the days their three children were born.

On January 21st, 1987 Joel David Adams was born.

On March 29th, 1989 Joanna Lynn Adams was born.

On May 30th, 1991 Jenna Rose Adams was born.

On February 1, 1996, after 10 ½ years with the church plant in Spokane, Dave felt the Lord’s calling to move his family and ministry to Gresham, Oregon. Dave took the position of senior minister at Gresham Church of Christ. Which later the name was changed to River Hills Church.

In April, 1996 Dave and Tammy purchased the house with 1.79 acres east of Gresham.  And just 18 months after moving in Dave began construction on a 1,250 sqft. addition.

In addition to full-time church ministry Dave also taught for many years at Northwest College of the Bible, where he poured wisdom and knowledge into so many lives. Dave mostly specialized in New Testament Books and The Life of Christ. One of the things that brought him the most joy was being able to teach the Word of God to anyone who would listen.

One of the highlights of Dave’s life was the opportunity to perform all 3 of his children’s weddings and also walked both Joanna and Jenna down the aisle.

While still in Bible College, Dave’s son Joel came on staff part-time at the church to work in ministry with his dad. Joel became full-time associate minister and has served in that position alongside his dad since 2009. They were a great team in ministry.

Dave had the joy of holding 6 of his grandchildren right after they were born. He loved them very much and had a special relationship with each one of them. Just like he did with everyone, Grandpa lovingly and gently taught his grandkids about Jesus and even more so he showed them Jesus in the way that he lived his life. Grandpa will be missed so very much.

Through the years Dave and Tammy had the opportunity to touch many people’s lives through ministry. One of those lives Dave and Tammy impacted was a youth group girl named, Dominique Cruz-Reyes. At 16 years old Dom came to live with Dave and Tammy in December 2013 and they became her unofficially adoptive parents known as Papa Bear and Mama Bear.

David Guy Adams went home to be with Jesus and receive his great reward on July 23rd, 2016 at the age of 57 years old.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, Tammy. His two older sisters, Julie and Linda. His three precious children, Joel, Joanna, and Jenna. And their 3 spouses, Beth, Troy and Greg. And 9 grandchildren, Kaleb, Kallie, Jack, Cole, Daisy, Rosemary, Kelsey, Clay and Carson.

Dave will be greatly missed by all who knew him. For he truly made an impact in every life that he encountered, and the legacy that he built will never been forgotten.