David Bowman Riker

David Bowman Riker arrived in Birmingham in the summer of 1993 to begin his work at Beeson Divinity School. Born and brought up in Brazil, David's father was a leader in the international work of the Gideons and his mother a distinguished attorney and judge.

I remember the first time I met David here at Beeson. He was vivacious, enthusiastic, fun-loving, but also serious-minded, conscientious, and devout. I don't think he missed a single chapel service in his time here at Beeson! Dr. James Houston was a frequent visitor to Beeson during David's tenure here. He had a great influence on the direction of David's ministry, encouraging him to pursue the study of theology.

When David completed his M.Div. in 1997, he went to England to pursue a M.A. in systematic theology under the late Professor Colin Gunton, who at that time was one of the very best theologians in the English-speaking world. When he completed this work at King's College, University of London, he relocated to Scotland where he completed a Ph.D. at the University of Aberdeen. Out of these studies he has published a book which depicts the life and thought of Benjamin Keach, a great Baptist pastor-theologian in the seventeenth century. The title of the book is: A Catholic Reformed Theologian: Federalism and Baptism in the Thought of Benjamin Keach, 1640-1704 (Paternoster Press, May 2009).

During David's years of study in the United Kingdom, I had the privilege of visiting with him on several occasions and of making several memorable journeys together. My son Christian has written about some of the pilgrimages in his book, Sacred Travels. While he was a student at Aberdeen, David worked as a minister's assistant in the Church of Scotland, in the idyllic, breathtaking village of Gairloch. His ministry there was much appreciated in the community. Also, at Aberdeen he gathered around him a group of fellow students who met regularly to share times of fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. They called themselves "The Dogs" for some reason unknown to me, given the insalubrious canine references in the Bible! But this was a special group of graduate students who shared their joys and toils in a close-knit community of love and support. Many of "The Dogs" are serving the Lord and his Church in wonderful ways today.

After completing his work in Scotland, David Riker returned to his Brazilian homeland to become Professor of Systematic Theology and Coordinator of the Masters Degree Program at the Equitorial Baptist Theological Seminary. This seminary is located in the Amazon Valley, Northern Brazil, in the city of Belém. Founded in 1955, this was the first evangelical theological institution in the Amazon Valley. In November, 2008 David was appointed by the Brazilian Baptist Convention to the presidency of this seminary. God has blessed his work there abundantly as he guides the students and faculty and also leads revivals, spiritual retreats, and conferences for pastors and Christian workers. Additionally, David hosted a radio program for a year, expounding verse by verse the Book of Ephesians. This radio ministry became a vital teaching outreach to believers in many small towns and villages around Belém city.

David has returned to Beeson on several occasions and has maintained close ties with members of our faculty. We love him and appreciate him and thank God for what he is doing to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in Brazil and beyond. Please pray for David Riker and the new work he has undertaken as president of Seminário Teológico Batista Equatorial. You can find out more information about this school on its website.