Seminary Trustee and Alumni David Rogers of Greer, SC passed away suddenly yesterday.

David was one of the first graduates of Gordon-Conwell’s Charlotte campus, and had served on our Board of Trustees since 2001; he was currently the Vice Chairman.

Seminary President Dennis Hollinger sent a message to the friends and alumni with the announcement:

David was vacationing with his family at the beach in Isle of Palms, SC. On Sunday evening he was playing basketball with some of his family members when he collapsed and died suddenly. Obviously his wife Louise, the family and all of us at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary are shocked and grieving.

David, an attorney, was in the first graduating class of our Charlotte Campus. As a board member he was the chair of the Strategic Planning Task Force, the vice chair of our board, and until recently the chair of the Charlotte Board of Advisors.

Since 2000 David has served as the president of Joshua’s Way, a Christian, non-profit organization that partners with churches in ministering to laypersons. David and Louise started the organization in memory of their son Joshua who died in June of 1982.

David Rogers and his wife Louise founded Joshua’s Way in honor of their deceased infant son. Rogers credits God with taking a “hard headed lawyer’ down a path leading to the founding of the organization’s teaching, international and mercy ministries outreach programs. Joshua’s Way has acted as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child for ten years as a part of its international ministries outreach. Operation Christmas Child is a program organized by Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham.

Professionally, Rogers served as a Director of Greer Bancshares, Inc. since 1988. He was one of the original organizers of the Bank. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The Citadel, a law degree from the University of South Carolina Law School, and a master’s degree in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is also a lawyer with the firm of Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers & Traxler, P.A. He has served in the past in various roles including the Greer Lions Club (past President), Greenville County Library Board (past Chair), Trustee of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Vice Chair), and his local church

Surviving are his wife, Louise Sullivan Rogers; a son and daughter-in-law, Caleb and Paige Rogers of Taylors; a daughter, Kate Rogers of Greer; four brothers, Dr. Mark Rogers, Dr. Paul Rogers, Dr. Tom Rogers, and Ben Rogers all of Greer; and a sister, Rosemarie Vaughn of Greer.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Greer First Baptist Church. A private burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Joshua’s Way, P.O. Box 1605, Greer, S.C. 29652. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com