Dr. David L. Burnham

• Remembering Dr. David L. Burnham

On July 26, 2025, at age 90, in God’s sovereign providence, He welcomed Dr. David Lansen Burnham into the fullness of His presence.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” was David’s favorite hymn, and the words of this song became a reflection of his own life. Surrounded by his family and treasured wife, Sue, he faithfully opened the door to see the Savior he had loved and served for a lifetime. He is now home with the Lord.

“Dave,” as most people affectionately called him, was born on August 15, 1934, in Akron, Ohio. He was the son of the late Carl and Agnes Burnham. Carl was the founder of The Chapel in Akron, Ohio, established in 1934.

An excellent student and renowned athlete, Dave was diagnosed with a serious heart condition while still in high school. Even as he approached his 80th birthday, he often remarked, “I never expected to live this long.” However, this prospect of an early death only strengthened his faith and expanded his courage.

But death is a chained enemy, and as the song goes, God’s “compassions, they fail not.” In His mercy, He gave Dave and Sue nearly 70 years of marriage and ministry together. Their courtship began at Maranatha Bible Conference in Michigan when they were only 14 years old! He described Sue as “the Love Treasure from God to my life,” and fondly referred to their journey as a “Great Adventure of serving Christ together!” Dave and Sue were blessed with two daughters and a son. Dave is survived by Sue; his daughter, Debra Green (Matthew); his son, Jonathan (Faith); seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His eldest daughter, Brenda Unruh (Robert), preceded him in death in 2011.

Faithfulness was not just a song to Dave, but a relationship with a Person, Jesus Christ, whose “own dear presence” was there “to cheer and to guide.” And it is this Person who walked with him through every decision. Dave felt a call from the Lord to preach while a senior in high school, which spurred him on to prepare, receiving two degrees with highest honors: Wheaton College (BA) and the University of Akron (MA). Although he was drafted to play professional football in 1956, he stayed faithful to his call, declined the offer, and joined his father in full-time ministry at The Chapel. He was privileged to serve six years with his ailing father before his death in 1962.

“Morning by morning new mercies I see.” God blessed Dave with health and strength, enabling him to pastor faithfully for over three decades. He led The Chapel for 26 years, during which the church experienced significant growth, gaining influence across America and beyond. During this time, he received three honorary doctoral degrees, a camp was purchased, (named Camp Carl in honor of his dad), and a major new sanctuary was built in 1975. He also served four years at Boca Raton Community Church and an additional ten years as a pastor-teacher with his son’s two pastorates.

As the hands of time persisted, “summer and winter, springtime and harvest,” Dave’s “manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love,” extended into television, radio and other worldwide ministries. His heart was always dedicated to evangelism, and the Lord provided him with numerous opportunities to preach in over 35 countries and participate in five World Congresses on Evangelism and the International Congress on Prayer. While Chairman of the International Sports Coalition, he united world sport ministries to establish chapels at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Dave held the position of Bible Teacher with Our Daily Bread Ministries on their national television and radio programs, (1989-1999), and actively participated on their Board, (2000-2008), serving as chairman for five years.

Beginning in 1985, he served on the Board of Directors of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association until 1998 when he became emeritus. Additionally, he was a dean of The Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism. Dave also served on three other boards: Wheaton College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Shelter Care.

In 2016, he was honored as Pastor Emeritus of The Chapel. If you were to ask Dave, “Does anything stand out in all these ministries in this Great Adventure God has given you?” He would say, “BMI.” All the way back in the early 1960s, while he was preaching at various meetings, he put away the monetary honorariums given to him for years. Instead of using the money for himself, he faithfully saved it for God’s use. As the hymn proclaims, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,” the Lord showed him that pastors in many countries were lacking basic training and even Bibles! With this heartbeat and that seed money, Dave founded Burnham Ministries International (BMI) - a worldwide training ministry for national pastors and key leaders, focusing on mentorship and Christ-centered theology in over 30 countries. He and his son, Jonathan, have been serving in this ministry together for over three decades.

Although his accomplishments were many, those who were personally acquainted with Dave fondly remember his comforting words, humble spirit, and warm heart. Through the outpouring of Dave’s faithfulness, God used this, and countless lives were changed for Christ! Dave always gave the glory to the Person of ultimate faithfulness, Jesus Christ, who gives “pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!”

Our Hope for tomorrow is coming again! May we exclaim, as Dave confidently proclaimed at the end of each Sunday morning sermon, “Good morning and Maranatha!”

1. The One who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
2.  (Revelation 22:20-21)
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In lieu of a memorial service, we have created a short video of Dave’s life and ministry. This video can be viewed at Burnham Ministries International beginning on Monday, August 4, 2025.