Ashley Baptist Church
Our Pastors

David A. Oliver was born in New York in 1964, and grew up in suburban Detroit. He trusted Christ as his Savior while a high school teenager as the result of reading a gospel tract. Soon after, he surrendered his life to preach, and sought to prepare for the ministry by earning both a bachelor's and master's degree. Since 1994 he has served as the senior pastor of Ashley Baptist Church in Belding, Michigan. Prior to being a pastor, Dave traveled extensively for several years as an evangelist, preaching in churches, conferences, camps, and youth meetings. He currently serves on the boards of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Association of Michigan and Proclaiming the Truth Inc. (Neighborhood Bible Time). He is also the chaplain for two west Michigan fire departments. He and his wife Penny have been married since 1987, and have three children.

A word from Pastor Oliver: "I would like to invite you to come and worship with an exciting, caring and friendly church. Ashley Baptist Church was founded over 150 years ago to meet the needs of people through the preaching and teaching of God's Word. We especially want to be of help to you and your family. At Ashley Baptist Church you will find a warm atmosphere of friendly Christian fellowship, a balanced ministry for the whole family, and gospel singing which exalts Jesus Christ. I hope that you will visit with us at Ashley Baptist Church very soon. I would love to have the chance to meet you personally. Let me leave you with the mission statement of Ashley Baptist Church. I hope that it will give you a sense of our purpose as well as our desire as a church in this community. The mission of Ashley Baptist Church is to honor and glorify God by making and maturing disciples who are becoming like the Lord Jesus Christ."

Sam Wells was born just outside of Chicago in 1980. As a young child he moved to Anderson, IN. At the age of twelve he trusted Christ as his Savior and a year later surrendered his life to preach. As a young teenager he began preparing his life for the ministry preaching in his local church and ministering to other churches through mission trips. He attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. He and his wife met at Camp CoBeAc in Prudenville, MI where they were counselors together and have been married since August of 2002. He has been the assistant pastor here at Ashley Baptist Church since June 2004 and works with the youth and children.

A word from Pastor Sam: Ashley Baptist Church is an exciting church. We seek to honor and glorify God by making and maturing disciples. Here at Ashley Baptist Church we are thrilled to work with young people. Christ said to “suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:” (Matthew 19:14) Children and teenagers are very impressionable. We desire to help you develop your children into godly young men and godly young ladies that faithfully serve God. We do this through teaching and preaching that is geared towards their age levels and through exciting programs that make the Bible come alive! I trust you will come join us!