Fisher of Men

David Wallace moves with purpose through the crowded halls of Ridgeview Nursing Home, like a man on a mission. Perhaps that’s because he is on a mission: to help souls to find solace in Christ. Wallace totes his zest from Birmingham to Jasper during the meat of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—to serve the residents and staff of Ridgeview as bible study leader and counselor. “I do bible studies for residents and staff, counseling for residents and staff, and visitation among our residents,” says Wallace.Wallace has brought both humility and humor to pulpits since 1970. You might remember him as the Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church from 1985 to 1993. Wallace was famous around these parts for his impassioned sermons, his genuine concern for his congregation, and his ability to poke fun at himself—all rolling up into one delightful aura. After leaving FUMC, he moved to Florence and served for three years on the Bishop’s Cabinet as District Superintendent. He also served as Senior Pastor at First United Methodist of Birmingham for eight years (1996-2004), and retired in the same capacity from St. Mark United Methodist in Vestavia, a position he held for seven years.Today, he shuffles expeditiously through the halls of Ridgeview to determine where his 11:00 staff bible study is to be held. On the way, he takes the time to stop a staffer with a loving tug on the arm. “How are you? How’s your family?” he caringly asks. The scrubs-clad lady nods, as tears brim her eyes. “We’re thinking about you,” he says, giving her an encouraging pat on the arm.Wallace possesses the attribute of making people feel like they matter. His ear is always inclined toward the lives of others, his antenna attuned to everyone who comes within his orbit. “Each day that I come here, my goal is to try to make somebody else’s day a little bit brighter and their life have greater spiritual depth,” he says.For residents and staff, Wallace’s presence is a special blessing. “David is like a breath of fresh air. He’s my sounding board. He is an inspirational person!” says Julia Satterfield, Environmental Supervisor at Ridgeview.Not to mention smart and athletic. Wallace, a Hartselle native, attended Birmingham-Southern College, where he played on the baseball team. After BSC, he went on to receive his divinity degree at Vanderbilt University before entering the ministry.Two years ago in 2011, a funeral in Jasper led to the Wallace-Ridgeview partnership. “I did Wade Woodard’s funeral in Jasper and afterwards Joe Kelly approached me about helping at Ridgeview. He didn’t have an official title in mind, but Joe assured me that we’d work something out,” says Wallace.The pair eventually did, though Wallace probably couldn’t have envisioned all the many hats he might wear at the facility, such as hosting the terrific “Miss Ridgeview Contest” and presenting a massive fake check to a lady dressed up for Halloween as an astonished housewife turned Publisher’s Clearinghouse winner.It is clear that Wallace is proud to be a part of the heartstring goings-on at Ridgeview. “Ridgeview and Ridgewood are exceptional places. The facilities are managed by wonderful, wonderful people. It’s the most dedicated staff in an extended care facility that you’ll find. We want the very best for our residents. But the most important thing is that we realize we have the privilege of being at their home at this stage in their life.”In his spare time, Wallace enjoys finding a quiet spot to fish at Lake Logan Martin, or spending time with his family—his wife Beth; his children, Amy and Susan; and his four grandchildren. He also pastors a church on Wednesdays and weekends in Warrior, Alabama.Similar to his days on the lake, Wallace finally finds a quiet spot at Ridgeview for his bible study. But today, he is a fisher of men. The lesson comes from Isaiah as Wallace holds his oversized Bible in his lap and glances through his glasses at holy words. He reads the passage, flops the book closed, takes off his glasses, and leans forward inquisitively. Questions are tossed out like bait; life lessons are chomped up by the eager fish.“How do we see God?”“How many of us are willing to risk loving someone else?”“Is there any greater way of demonstrating God’s love than what Christ did on the cross?”“We have to sacrifice to love.”He tells a story of a young boy who is in desperate need a kidney transplant, and doctors discover that the best match is his older sister, who is only but 8 or 9. The girl volunteers for the operation and, to her surprise, is awakened after the procedure.“I’m alive?” she asks.The confused parents don’t know what to say. “Sweetheart, you didn’t think you would be?” they ask.“I didn’t think I was going to wake up,” she says tenderly.“So you gave your kidney thinking that it would end your life?” says one of the parents.Then the girl looks up at them from the operating table and says in a still, soft voice, “That’s how much I love him.”