The Rev. Dr. David R. Saliba is a native of Dothan, Alabama and is in his fourth year as Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Dothan, Alabama which serves a membership of 3000. He served six years as senior pastor of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church in Perdido Key, FL, after serving three years as pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Greenville, AL, and serving seven years at the First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL, as the executive minister. David is married to the former Elizabeth Crockett of Dothan, AL, and together they have three beautiful children, Joseph (11), Grace (9), and Jacob (5). Both David and Elizabeth are grateful for being born and raised in Dothan where their families still reside. All five Salibas enjoy playing at the beach, neighborhood walks, a good story, living room dance parties, and family movie night.
David studied Biological-Chemistry and Religion at Birmingham-Southern College where he graduated with honors and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. David was a Pitts Fellowship Recipient and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He received the United Methodist First Career Seminary Award. David is an alumna of the Leadership Alabama Initiative; served for a decade on the Board of Trustees at Birmingham-Southern College; and serves on the Board of Directors for The Stegall Seminary Scholarship Foundation. Locally, David serves on The Harbor Board of Directors, Respite Ministry Board of Directors, The Shepherd School Board, and is a member of a Leadership Cohort. He is a member of the World-Wide Board of Evangelism’s Order of the FLAME. David is inspired by receiving new professions of faith in Christ, mentoring young persons, and teaching persons of all ages. He is grateful that the congregations he has served as senior pastor have grown in worship attendance, membership, missional outreach, campus facilities, and faith development. His greatest desire in ministry is to help the church achieve its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.