Ten Questions for Dave Hembree

Q: You just came back from building homes in New Orleans. What impressed you most about that trip?A: Other than the high level of character of the men I was with, I was impressed with the size and degree of the need. I also saw hope and optimism in an area that is still dealing with despair, even shock. The need will be there for at least a decade, now that the cameras and politicians have left I am impressed that the church is committed to staying.

Q: You are currently the director for the Y.M.C.A. in Fremont. What would you like the people of Harbor Light to know about the "Y"?
A: What a loaded question :)
1. There is a YMCA in Fremont
2. We serve children and families in our 9 school age childcare sites on Fremont Unified School District campuses, we have 4 summer day camps, Saturday youth sports and offer affordable wellness program memberships at our main facility on Grimmer and Blacow.
3. We are a private not-for profit organization that provides an opportunity for tax deductible donations that directly benefit those who would otherwise not be able to afford our low fees for services.
Come and see me at the Y, I'd be glad to give you a tour and show you how the non-spandex crowd gets back in shape.

Q: Your brain is stuck in the 70's. Why don't you fascinate our internet audience with some of your impressive 70's trivia that is resides in your head?
A: I prefer not to think of it as stuck, more that I have an eclectic approach to popular culture from the 60's- early 90s. I could tell you about Marcia Brady's friend "Debbie Ditmire" or give you all of the names of the characters on Gilligan's Island ( first and last for most), or tell you about Larry Mondello, Beaver's friend on "leave it to beaver", perhaps sing you some advertising jingles from Ford and Chevy commercials from the 60's. Maybe since I found myself in a powder blue leisure suit at Disneyland grad nite in 1976- it all just solidified in my brain as I watched a sea of pastel clad guys just like me roaming around happy they did not make us wear a suit and tie.

Q: You are also a member of Niles Rotary. Tell us something about that organization and your involvement with them.
A: A fine group of individuals committed to serving their fellow man. This year's theme is "Rotary shares", our club's theme is "mankind is our business". I am involved as a new committee chair in the area of P.R. to get the word out about Rotary. It's a place where I feel I can be salt and light, and there are some other brothers and sisters in Christ there that help me feel supported. I find the community engagement of this service club exemplary and their approach to world service also impressive. Somehow, I keep thinking all three organizations might come together on projects ( Rotary, the YMCA and Harbor Light) but that is something I have not yet seen as an opportunity- who knows, God can do anything.

Q: What do you experience in worship each Sunday at Harbor Light?
A: A feeling of being home, and so very thankful that I am in my Father's house. The joy in the worship and the freedom to follow Holy Spirit along with the solid teaching and an overall sense of health and well being, creates an atmosphere that restores me and makes me feel like it's a weekly celebration. After all, I am one of those returning prodigals and my Father makes me feel welcome every time I come to His house.

Q: Where did you meet your wife Karen?
A: I met Karen while I was working for the Fresno YMCA. I had been contacted by a pastor of a four square church about bringing his singles group up to the camps I was running. While they were there, I was closing up one of the camps for the night and noticed this group of people being taught by the pastor. I had been a Christian for at least 20 years at the time, but you would have had a hard time recognizing that at the time. I noticed these folks in the midst of their dedication to the Lord, and while I was walking by, I threw up a small little prayer- I asked " Lord, I really would like to have a teacher again". Well, that weekend I think God gave me my first teacher in Karen. I noticed this striking woman, who I had a hard time not staring at. It still took me two days to speak to her, and I managed to stammer out " Uh, have we met?". (smooth talker)She rolled her eyes, but did continue to speak with me. We made a date to have lunch that week. I remember feeling so out of my element, I called a pastor friend of mine and asked him what I should do about dating a Godly woman. We married a little over a year later. She is still teaching me.

Q: What does your son Mark enjoy doing with you?
A:  I think we most enjoy painting together, we play baseball and watch cartoons together, but seem to connect the best when we have the paints and paper in front of both of us. One of our favorite games is to start a drawing and hand it off to the other guy and let him work on it. We end up with some cool stuff. I think Mark has some gifting in this area, and I make sure he watches retro cartoons so I can have someone to share trivia with.

Q: You are also an amazing artist. Tell us about some of the types of art you have created and what art does for you?
A: Sometimes I feel guilty for not making enough time to do art, but it's not a social activity most of the time and requires blocks of time in relative quiet and solitude. With a family, including the 6 year old boy, a 2 year old Labrador, and a new puppy I am not as productive as I would like to be. Currently I am working on representational watercolor paintings ( stuff I can sell hopefully). There is another type of work that is more about discourse and self discovery. I have had some fun with developing a novel technique with mixed media, now I want to explore some new materials in addition to works on paper. This is where some of that TV trivia comes in handy- I work with a lot of different themes from my life; baseball, cowboys, popular culture. I may be doing a 3 stooges piece again soon that might answer the question " Why Shemp?".

Q: How do you best connect with God?
A: I like to play my guitar poorly and sing worship songs, I best connect with the Lord in the early mornings, He joins me for coffee and prayer. I do a lot of praying in the car on my way to and from work. KLOV and KFAX radio help me a lot to keep the right program going in my brain. I am most connected with Him, when I lose myself and ask Him how I can serve Him. I am just as distracted as everyone else, and am fickle to an amazing degree, but when I align my heart with His, everything else fades away and I can listen to my Father's voice. It's not accusing or condemning, it's a voice and touch that instills in me the very joy of being alive and conscious in His creation. I get to walk in the kingdom everyday, and it's full of wonder, fun, as well as challenge. I am pretty blessed when it comes down to it- I need to make every effort to appreciate that.

Q: You are currently leading Men's Ministries. What do you hope to see God do in the Men of Harbor Light?
A: I remember Jackson Senyonga's words from the men's advance two years ago- he called us to be pillars in the church. I would like to see the Lord build up the men as pillars who can be counted on to STAND. I want to see the Lord raise up an army of men who stand for Him, their homes, their church and their community with the heart of God. I want to see guys engaged as men, in ways that appeal to men. I once wrote that when men are in the room together the Father hears the heartbeats of His sons , I want that sound to be loud, strong, and frightening to the enemy. My prayer is that every man has at least one other brother lifting him up in prayer, and that he is doing the same. I could go on but there are only 10 questions.