i

November 13 Today in OPC History

Dan and Sharon Dillard

2022

 

Orthodox Presbyterian pastor Dan Dillard married his wife, Sharon, on this date in 1982. Dan, who was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, graduated with a bachelor’s in history from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton in 1982. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary California in 1987. On November 20, 1988, Dan was ordained and installed as associate pastor at Sharon OPC in Hialeah, Florida, where he served from 1988 to 1990. During that time he also was special assistant to Dr. D. James Kennedy as a counselor and writer for Coral Ridge Ministries in Fort Lauderdale. In 1990 they moved to Bend, Oregon, where Dan continues to serve as pastor at Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church, OPC.

The Dillards have one child, Joseph, who was adopted from Guatemala. The family often hiked in the Cascades, dirt biked in the High Desert, skied, snowshoed, and mountain biked until he was slowed down by a near fatal motorcycle crash on August 29, 2013. Dan was riding his Harley from church to lead a Bible study at his home when a car hit him. Humanly speaking, Dan, who had a torn aorta, shattered pelvis, and football-sized pelvic wound, should have bled to death in minutes. But God used prayer and surgeons’ skills to “put him back together.” Cards from OPs around the country and the constant flow of visiting supporters month after month greatly encouraged Dan and Sharon, a Christian school teacher. The man who ran into Dan came to Sharon in tears. Sharon spoke of God’s grace and forgiveness and he professed faith.

Dan was in a wheelchair when he first returned to his pulpit, but now walks on his own. After ongoing months of physical and occupational therapy, Dan was a commissioner at the Eighty-second General Assembly in June 2015. When he responded to the roll call, the assembly gave him an extended applause, showing their joy for how God worked a “miracle” in his life.

Picture: Dan and Sharon Dillard on their wedding day.

 

CONTACT US

+1 215 830 0900

Contact Form

Find a Church