On Sunday, July 18, 2021, loving father and grandfather, loyal husband, and faithful servant of the Lord, David P. McDowell, passed away at the age of 74 at his home in Lancaster, PA.
Dave “Mac” was born on August 27, 1946, in Schenectady, NY. He graduated from Wheaton College (IL) where he excelled in sports, earning All-American honors in wrestling and excelling on the football field. He received graduate degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Trinity Theological Seminary. His ministry of more than 48 years has involved four pastorates, including serving as Assistant Chaplain at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Pastor of Bethlehem Community Church in Delmar, NY, Senior Pastor of College Church of Northampton, MA, and Senior Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in West Chicago, IL. He considered these congregations to be filled with wonderful examples of a warm and engaging evangelical faith, unafraid to live out the Gospel. Most recently, he served as the Interim Chaplain at Wheaton College, IL, and the Chaplain of the Wheaton College Graduate School until his retirement to Lancaster, PA.
Dave leaves behind his wife Gloria (Farneth) McDowell (with whom he recently celebrated 50 years of marriage), his 5 children, Bethany (Peter) Fiorello of Strasburg, PA, Joshua (Wendy) McDowell of Annapolis, MD, James (Stella) McDowell of Lausanne, Switzerland, Jeremy (Danielle) McDowell of West Chicago, IL, and Joy (Seth) Rumsey of Hanover, MD; his sister Judy Van Vorst of Australia; and 12 beautiful grandchildren (whom he loved most of all). He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph W. and Alta M. (Freeman) McDowell, brother Warren T. McDowell, and sister Joyce E. Goff.
Throughout his life, he was heavily involved in Christian summer camp ministries on the East Coast. He authored four books and also wrote a weekly blog at davemcdowell.org. Dave’s last book “The Goodness of Affliction”, was written during his bout with cancer, as an encouragement for those who suffer to trust in the Lord’s timing and wisdom. In his spare time he enjoyed coaching shot put and discus throwers (high school and college), competing in the Senior Olympics, and cheering on the New England Patriots. He found peace and hope from Jesus. His life verse that he chose upon ordination was 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”
If you ever heard him preach, you will know that he often closed his sermons with benedictions. His favorite one was from Jude 1:24-25, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen.”
Cremation Services of Lancaster 717-273-6283