Dave Baker

Chief Development Officer

My name is David R. Baker.  I was born in Grand Rapids and raised in Allegan.  I graduated from Allegan High School and went to college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.  I graduated with a BBA in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing.  

After graduation, I worked at the Allegan County Juvenile Home for 10 years.  I worked with 11-17 year old, at-risk youth from Allegan County and beyond.  This is where I met my beautiful wife, Shelley, who was student-teaching.  I also became acquainted with Youth for Christ.  YFC sent people to our facility to work with our youth.

I married Shelley in 1999 and we have two children living at our home.  Kyle is 9 years old and is going to be the next Crocodile Hunter.  He enjoys swimming, fishing, boating, golf, soccer, baseball but mostly loves to ‘hunt’ for turtles.  He keeps them, feeds them, races them (many great stories).  Kenna, 7, is ½ tomboy and ½ princess.  She enjoys jumping on the trampoline, swimming, dancing, listening to music and dressing up.  She will gladly find worms to go fishing, handle turtles or snakes and play soccer.  The next minute she is wearing a dress, tiara, sparkly shoes and ‘prancing’ around as a little princess.  Shelley is a Special Education teacher at Pine Trails Elementary in Allegan.  She is an outstanding teacher and even better wife and MOM.  She is my best friend and keeps me grounded in Christ.

We are members of Gun Lake Community Church and have taught Sunday school for 13 years.  We are part of the church leadership team and have been on search committees, planning committees and anything else the church needs.  Shelley also helps with VBS, the Easter Program and much more.  I lead the Drama Team, sing in the Men’s Choir and am a member of the Spiritual Development team.

Role at YFC – I am the Chief Development Officer at West Michigan Youth for Christ.  I help ensure the funds are available for our Ministry Sites and General Operating Expenses.  I work with our team to be better stewards of God’s money.  I work with local leadership teams to determine how we can best reach the kids of each community.  I am privileged and excited to be on staff at WM YFC.  I have a passion for reaching local kids with the life changing Truth of Jesus Christ!

Email Dave