Old Oak Bible Church's Pastors
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF REV. DAVID L. BUTLER
David L. Butler was born in Sandusky, Ohio in 1946, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Butler. A third generation pastor, Dave graduated from Sandusky High School in 1964, then served in the United States Air Force through 1968. His secondary education included work at New Mexico State University, Cleveland State University and Cedarville University.
Pastor Butler surrendered to the gospel ministry in 1966, while in the military, and pastored his first church in 1967, the Mountainview Baptist Church in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Pastorates followed at Beavercreek Baptist Church, Dayton, Ohio, and First Baptist Church of Huron, Ohio.
In 1977, at the invitation of the Columbia Road Baptist Church of North Olmsted, Ohio, Pastor Dave accepted an invitation to start a mission church in Middleburg Heights. The first service of THE CHAPEL in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, took place April 27`h, 1977, and for the next eight years the church met in a school building. In 1985 the church family moved into their new church campus located on six acres of prime land on Old Oak Boulevard. In 1996 the church changed her name from THE CHAPEL in Middleburg Heights to the OLD OAK BIBLE CHURCH. This change was for the purpose of better identifying the church as to geographic location and type of ministry. The church hosts an average of one hundred and fifty weddings each year, and it was felt that the name "The Chapel" smacked too much of a "wedding chapel", which we are not. What we are is a church located on Old Oak Boulevard that believes in, studies and strives to live according to the Bible.
Pastor Butler is a very capable speaker. In addition to officiating some two hundred weddings and one hundred funerals each year, he has worked with the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cleveland Browns in areas of counsel and encouragement. He is a sought after speaker and singer.
Pastor Butler is married to the former Laura Krawczyk, of Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Kent State University with a degree in criminal justice. Pastor Dave and Laura have three children: Lorie is thirty-three and works at NASA; Brent is thirty-two and is a Highway Patrol Officer; and Karoline is twenty-one, a graduate of John Carroll University, preparing to start law school in January at Case Western. Dave and Laura have three grandchildren.
Pastor Butler and his family own their own home in Middleburg Heights, and have lived there since it was constructed in 1986. Pastor Dave and Laura have an exceptional reputation in the Greater Cleveland Area, and hope to continue in ministry at Old Oak Bible Church until Christ returns.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PASTOR WILLIAM D. BARBEE
William D. Barbee was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1954, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Barbee. William grew up in Pepper Pike where he graduated from Orange High School. He was an Eagle Scout, attended church regularly with his family at First Baptist Church of Cleveland, and was actively involved in various volunteer programs. William completed three years of pre-med at Case Western Reserve University.
At the age of 19, William received Christ as Savior. Over the next 17 years he belonged to several churches in the Cleveland area as well as in Philadelphia. In 1990, William started attending THE CHAPEL in Middleburg Heights (now Old Oak Bible Church), where later that year he transferred his membership.
William became involved in leading the Children's ministries. Over the next few years he took various courses of study under the teaching of Senior Pastor David Butler, including "Study of Biblical Eldership" and "Evangelism Explosion". In 1993, William was ordained by the church in the State of Ohio and was confirmed as Elder. Since then. Pastor Bill has taught adult Bible study classes, led evangelism outreach teams, run children's ministries, officiated weddings, and served as "substitute preacher" while Pastor Butler was on vacation.
Pastor Bill is married to the former Donna Brasty. Donna has been with the church since its inception and has served as Treasurer, Children's Education Director and AWANA Commander. Together, Bill and Donna have been a wonderful ministry team for over 14 years. They have an eleven- year old son Steven. Pastor Bill and his family reside in Middleburg Heights.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
The day of the LORD so comes as a thief in the night.