From the Court to the Pulpit - Interview with Dr. Daniel McNaughton

I have been attending Spring Valley Community Church most every Sunday ever sense I have been attending Valley Forge Christian College. I have been listening and enjoying the youth pastor, who speaks on occasion, and have been especially blessed through the teachings of Pastor Daniel McNaughton. As I found out he was speaking in our Disciple Making and Equipping class I looked forward to hearing from the heart of this pastor and seemingly wise man. My hopes were not at all let down. Although I have heard a bit from the testimony of Pastor Daniel McNaughton through his weekly sermons, having him speak openly in our class was truly a blessing and painted a whole different, more real picture that was Dr. and Pastor, Daniel McNaughton.

Dr. McNaughton had a unique testimony in that even growing up in more or less a church environment, at a young age he had many deep questions that seemed to go uncared for and unanswered by those whom where amongst the church family. Dr. McNaughton was also faced with the challenge of growing up with a mother whom suffered from Bipolar disorder. With questions regarding his mothers illness, and wondering why God would grant such suffering, the young Dr. McNaughton’s questions were left unanswered and backs were turned to him amongst the church because of his questions.

With backs turned towards him from the church, Dr. McNaughton turned his back to them, and to God.  McNaughton found solace in his up and rising basketball career. Although there was great hope in his future for this, there was no fulfillment. With every level achieved in basketball left McNaughton with the gnawing feeling of: ‘this is it?’

Eventually, McNaughton decided he was going to spend a couple months seeking God, and if he were not sought McNaughton contemplated serious actions against himself. Months went by with only the same response to those in the church, hypocrisy and abandonment. McNaughton, alone in his backyard, contemplated what to do, if life was worth living, when God’s presence fell down upon him. This presence of God, and realizing God’s loving-kindness changed his life, and he turned his life around.

McNaughton soon attended Evangel University on a basketball scholarship. After this he continued education at Gordon Conwell, and while studying Hebrew and former professor at the school made it known to McNaughton that the professor thought he had a gift in teaching and should become a professor. Later on, through the hand of God, McNaughton was accepted at the University of Toronto where he continued his excruciating doctorate program while also being newly married to his current wife.

Fast forward and Dr. McNaughton has been a teacher at VFCC for many years and is currently pastoring a church in Spring Valley, PA. Dr. McNaughton has also recently published his first book on discipleship entitled: Learning to Follow Jesus.

Being a fellow attendee of Dr. McNaughton’s church, it has truly been a blessing to hear of his testimony, to paint a vibrant and beautiful picture of the workings of Christ and to ensure anyone and all that Christ can do all things.