Rev. David Mosser, Sr., Ph.D is the new minister at the Salado United Methodist Church. His first official day is July 2.

“They will love David,” said Rev. Lara Whitley-Franklin, minister for four years in Salado.

Rev. Mosser is a familiar face to many in the Salado UMC congregation, having preached there on occasion. He has also known Travis and Lara for many years

“David baptized me at the age of 19, at a time in my life when I needed to know that I belonged to God,” Lara said.

Rev. Mosser married Travis and Lara and baptized Erin.

“I feel as if I am the Whitley/Franklin family chaplain and am proud of that,” Rev. Mosser said in a letter to the congregation.

Rev. Mosser comes to Salado from First United Methodist Church in Arlington, where he has served since 2004.

Prior to that, he ministered at First United Methodist Church in Graham from 1996-2004,  First United Methodist Church in Georgetown from 1989 to 1996, First United Methodist Church Parish in DeLeon from 1985 to 1989; Kingswood United Methodist Church in Burleson from 1982 to 1985 and Central United Methodist Church/Wesley Foundation Navarro College in College from 1979 to 1982.

“There are several folks in the Salado UMC congregation that I know well and it will be a great blessing to be with you soon. Keep all of us in your prayers as we make this important transition in the life of the church.”

Rev. Mosser was graduated in 1998 from University of Texas in Austin with a Doctor of Philosophy. His dissertation  was entitled, “The Persuasive Power of Lucan Rhetoric: An Exegetical Study of Two Pauline Speeches and the Implications for Contemporary Preaching.”

He earned a Master of Theology Degree from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in 1979.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Southern Methodist University since 1975. He studied Russian Studies and Philosophy there.

He was named an Elder in the Central Texas Conference in June 1980 and a Deacon in the North Texas Conference in 1977.

In addition to his church appointments, Rev. Mosser taught at SMU’s Perkins School of Theaology since 2004, including  an Introduction to Preaching and Preaching Luke/Acts and Preaching the Gospel of Mark (Doctor of Ministry level course).

He also taught  Introduction to Western Philosophy and Introduction to Ethics courses at Navarro Community College.

He did an internship for the Perkins School of Theology in Liberia, West Africa.

Rev. Mosser was a full-time instructor at the Gbargna School of Theology where he taught Systematic Theology, Introduction to Western Philosophy, Hebrew Scripture Survey, History of Christianity, Life and Letters of Paul, Hebrew Prophets, and a course on Jesus in the Gospels.