(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Life Church of God Pastor Oved Dunaway.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Columbia Oct. 2, 1974.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to West Marion, Pearl River Community College for a little bit and went through the Church of God’s version of seminary in 1998 when I got credentialed as a minister.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I’m the senior pastor at Life Church of God and oversee the entire operation of the church. I also am the manager and assistant vice president at Regions Bank. I’m also a part-time officer with the city of Columbia and a reserve deputy with the sheriff’s office.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: As far as ministry, I kind of knew as a kid the Lord had something for me. I didn’t know what it was and was terrified of public speaking, and when I felt the call to preach I thought there was no way. The Lord just brought me into it, and this is my 20th year. I have the opportunity to do marketplace ministry, as well as in the church, because I encounter so many people in the business world and in law enforcement that I can share with.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Just helping people, encouraging people and lifting them up to better themselves and help them become more successful. I like being able to help people get a new start in life and find the hope in Christ.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of juggling your responsibilities?
A: Being available when people need me because I’m juggling so much. Some folks want you here, but you’re already obligated here. It can be very challenging.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: To be real because people can spot fake from a mile away. Be real, be yourself and everything else will fall into place.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A police officer. That’s part of why I do the police work because it’s something I’ve wanted since I was a kid. My ultimate goal is to pastor full time and work part time as a cop to fill that desire. It really ties into each other. We actually have people in our church that I’ve arrested before and shared with them. Now they come to church, and it’s just amazing to watch God change their lives from a life of mistakes and bad decisions to yielding their life to Christ and watching God change their life. It’s an amazing journey.
Q: What was your first job?
A: The first job I ever had was at Meat Masters when Mr. Hubert Watts owned it. I would come in every evening, take apart all of the equipment and clean it and clean the store.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: There is a retired minister, Rev. O.H. Austin, that goes to our church, and he was my pastor when I was a teenager. He helped guide me when I yielded to my call with things I wanted to do. The cool thing is now this is my home church that I grew up in, and the Lord opened the door for me to come back and pastor. Now I get to be his pastor, which is super awesome. He’s one of my heroes. It’s very humbling when he comes up to me, hugs my neck and is like “Hey pastor.” A lot of the older people in the church that taught me Sunday School, I get to be their pastor. It’s very humbling.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Michelle. She is a stay-at-home mom, but she does substitute at Columbia School District and works at home as a travel agent.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have four girls, Halee, Aly, Gracie and Bella.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and sweet potato casserole. I love Popeyes.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Alaska. I love the cold, love the snow and I’ve tried to convince my wife to move there a number of times, but that’s a no go.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like motorcycle riding with friends, hanging out with friends and barbecuing. I’m a very family-oriented guy. I don’t do a lot of stuff by myself because I stay so busy that when I have free time I want to spend it with my wife and my girls.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: I just love the people, love the feel of my hometown and like the small town with big dreams and big aspirations. Regardless of what media tries to say, we have a great community where people come together. I think the South gets a bad rap a lot of the time as being a racist area with backwoods and rednecks, but I think we have a great community. I’m just proud to be from here.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My favorite president, which would be Ronald Reagan. I would probably want to tell him he got it right. Some of the things he said about when a country and a government tries to push God to the side it is headed in a downward spiral. I think he was a terrific president, and I would want to pick his brain on what he would do to help unify our country and eliminate the division in our country.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: I would probably be with the police full time. It’s horrible to say, but our police are so grossly underpaid. Most of them struggle to make ends meet and have to work secondary jobs to make it, and I think it’s a bad deal they have to struggle. If money wasn’t an issue, I’d be a full-time cop.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: The day I married my wife because it came out of a rough time in my life. When God put her in my life, it really began to take some shape and has really helped me form into the person I am.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: Skydiving just for the thrill if your chute is going to open or not. It’s just one of those things that’s an adrenaline rush.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three morals?
A: Integrity, honesty and equality (for everybody).
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As someone who loved God, loved his family and loved people. I think that’s the greatest legacy you can leave.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: While Oved Dunaway is spread thin between four roles, including as pastor at Life Church of God, he said when he does get free time he likes to spend it with his wife, Michelle, and four daughters. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
