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IRVING—David Galvan, longtime pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Dallas, was awarded the W.A. Criswell Award for Pastoral Evangelism during the Tuesday afternoon session of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s 2022 Empower evangelism conference.
The award was instituted during the SBTC’s first evangelism conference in 1999. That conference was hosted by First Baptist Church of Dallas. The inaugural award honored its namesake—noted FBCD pastor W.A. Criswell, considered by many to be the pastoral mind behind the Southern Baptist Conservative Resurgence between 1979 and 1995.
“First, I feel so humbled that someone would recommend me. Especially with the impact Dr. Criswell had on my ministry,” Galvan said. “If I became an expository preacher, it’s because of his influence. If I separated my mornings [for study and prayer] it’s because of Dr. Criswell.”
Galvan marked his 40th anniversary at Nueva Vida in November 2021. He has served as a church planter, pastor, and denominational leader since 1979. He received a bachelor’s degree from Pan American University and a master’s degree from Criswell College.
He has served Southern Baptists in many ways during his ministry: as second vice president for the Southern Baptist Convention; first vice president for the SBTC; and as a trustee and board chairman for both Criswell College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He stepped down as senior pastor at the end of 2021 but has no plans to end his ministry. “I’m very available for interims, supply preaching, whatever God opens up for me,” he said.
He remembers deliberating on James 1:5 (“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God…”) and recommends younger pastors seeking to build an evangelistic church do the same. “I tried everything—door-to-door, discipleship, visiting like a madman, nothing was working,” he recalled.
Through prayer walking in his community, he discerned several ideas he believed to be God’s answer. The first idea was an Easter pageant that continued for more than 20 years, and then later a Christmas pageant. Thousands have come to Christ through those events. That led to a conviction about other opportunities in ministry.
“Every single sermon needs to end with an evangelistic invitation,” he said. “Take every opportunity, including weddings, funerals, and, for my church, quinceañeras. I ask, ‘Do your friends know Jesus?’ Use those events to share the gospel.”
“Pastor David is one of God’s choice servants,” SBTC Executive Director Nathan Lorick said. “His steady pastoral leadership and a life that exemplifies evangelism is a great example for all of us. Throughout his ministry, he has modeled what it means to walk with integrity and vision. We are so grateful to honor Pastor David for his excellent life and ministry.”
Galvan has been married to his wife, Elvia, since 1972; they have four children and 17 grandchildren.
