David Voss looked out over the sea of faces attending the concert at Jesus Shack. As he scanned the audience his mind drifted back to his days as a cardiac surgeon. Dave smiled as he realized his life’s work had not changed much over the last 10 years. Nearly 16 years ago, after graduating from Stanford University, he had begun his work as a cardiac surgeon where he focused on healing the hearts of people physically. Now, as executive director of an organization that provides printing, lighting, sound equipment, and event planning, Dave’s primary goal is to do all he can to heal people’s hearts spiritually.

Changing Vocation

After working as a cardiac surgeon for a few years, Dave felt called by God to do something different. He and his wife started Jesus Shack Incorporated, an organization that brings churches and businesses together to reach out to people in the community. While Jesus Shack is known for its ministries that feed the homeless and promote Christian concerts, it is much more than that.

Jesus Shack consists of several companies within one. They provide marketing services, video production services, event management, and more to Christian and non-Christian companies. The money made from providing these services goes back into serving the community. Jesus Shack has managed events for Magic Mountain, Carl’s Jr., Target, Pepsi, and many other companies. They also manage the Bakersfield business conference. In addition to providing services to these companies, many of them, including Carl’s Jr. and Albertson’s, have partnered with Jesus Shack to provide services to the community.

Starting and administrating Jesus Shack was not Dave’s first goal in life. He grew up in a Christian home. His dad, a professional baseball player, played for the Angels, Brewers, and Athletics, among other teams. After retiring from baseball Dave’s dad began a ministry in Arizona. His mom worked for Disneyland as Alice in Wonderland. She traveled widely and took dignitaries on Disney tours.

Dave accepted Christ in his youth. By the time he was 16 he had a firm grasp on his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a surgeon Dave witnessed the drama of life and death daily. He believes the rigidity and intensity of his surgery training helped prepare him for what he does today.

Changing a Community

Residents of Bakersfield, California, David and his wife Karen began operating Jesus Shack, Inc. in 1997. As a grassroots effort, Jesus Shack’s goal is to positively affect the lives of California youth through the ministry of Christian music. The organization has grown into a multi-faceted operation with the mission of unifying the community and reaching out to people through the collaboration of local volunteers, businesses, government agencies, churches, and other non-profit organizations. “It is amazing what God can do when you are obedient to him.”

Opportunities for Dave to share his faith abound. Because of the community work Dave does with local businesses, Jesus Shack displays can be found in every Carl’s Jr. and Albertson’s store in Bakersfield. These groups are working together to provide Christmas presents to needy kids in schools throughout the city.

Another project Jesus Shack has started involves multi-unit housing. They are presently attempting to move Christian married couples into housing units with the purpose of mentoring children. This mentoring includes literacy assistance, meeting physical needs, and teaching neighbors about God. Companies are jumping on board to help hundreds of latch-key kids.

Jesus Shack enlists approximately 90 volunteers each month who go door to door to meet people’s needs and help with community events. These events include a fun and safe Halloween event, Thanksgiving outreach, and concerts.

As the ministry grows by leaps and bounds, Dave makes sure to put his family and three children first. In order to do so he limits the amount of time he travels. As Dave looks back over the last 10 years, he is amazed at what God has done. He sees how every step of the way was God’s plan and he is sure that God has much more in store for his life and for the community of Bakersfield. |L

Dave and his wife Karen live in Bakersfield, California. To find out more about Jesus Shack, go to www.jesusshack.com.

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

OTHER COLUMNS:
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May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
December 24, 2006 - Business by the book
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best