David Weaver didn’t grow up in church. He wasn’t raised to pray, didn’t know what a godly man looked like, andcarried the scars of a childhood shaped by abandonment, alcoholism, and fatherlessness. His mom was married and divorced twice, mostly raising himand his brothers as a single mom. And his wife Monica? She came from abroken home too. Neither of them had a blueprint for marriage, parenting, or manhood.
What they did have was pain and dysfunction. And eventually, it caught up to them.
In 2010, David was pulled into a devastating business collapse. It wasn’t criminal, but it was crushing. He spent seven long years in courtrooms, battling accusations, fighting for his reputation, and feeling like his entire world was slipping through his hands. It was during one of those hearings, standing before a judge with a prayer card in his hand from his father’s recent funeral service, that David whispered the first real prayer of his life: “Dad… buddy… if You’re real up there… I need You right now.” There were no thunderclaps. No angels. No courtroom miracle. But the war was over. No one won, but no one lost. It was just… done.
That could’ve been the end of the story. But God had only just begun.
A Church They Never Wanted to Attend
After the trial ended, David continued his morning hikes near his home—right across the street from a place he and Monica always said they’d never go: Dream City Church.
“It was so busy. It looked like a compound. We thought, ‘There’s no way we’re going there.’”
But week after week, as he hiked the mountain, David felt a stirring. Not a voice, not a vision—but a deep impression he now recognizes as the Holy Spirit:
“You said if I got you out of that, you’d seek My face.”
So, one day, they walked in. Just to try.
What they found wasn’t religion. It was raw, powerful worship. It was a man on stage, arms raised, screaming Jesus from the mountaintop. It was Pastor Adam leading with fire. It was Pastor Luke telling stories about sneaking into Disneyland, ending up in jail and finding redemption. It was Pastor Franklin and other men, preaching at a men’s breakfast about running marathons across continents, carrying faith into fire, and living with integrity.
It was the first time David saw real men: strong, tough, God-fearing men who weren’t ashamed of their faith.
“These weren’t teenagers on ten-speeds knocking on doors. These were pararescue guys, entrepreneurs, warriors, and they were talking about Jesus.”
The Journey to Become a Man
David didn’t just attend church. He showed up.
To every men’s breakfast. Every Monday morning Bible study. Every Men’s Forge gathering.
At first, he just listened. Watched. Learned.
He wasn’t ready to trust yet, especially the intangible things. But over time, he saw something he’d never seen before: Consistency. Character. Strength. Faith. Courage.
“These guys weren’t weak. They were tough. But they could repent. They could apologize. They could cry. They could carry swords and know when not to unsheathe them.”
It wrecked him. Then it rebuilt him.
He opened a Bible for the first time at 44. Wrestled with the idea of faith, miracles, creation. And still, he kept showing up. Even when it didn’t make sense. Even when he didn’t feel anything.
And then one day, he was healed.
“In 2022, I was scheduled for back surgery. People at the church anointed me and prayed over me… and I never had the surgery. I’ve had no pain since. I can run. I can wrestle. It was just… gone.”
A Marriage Forged in Fire
Through it all, David and Monica kept showing up too. Not perfectly. Not easily. But faithfully.
They had been married three times. Not to different people, but to each other.
Once when they were young and figuring life out. Once on their ten-year anniversary, trying again. And finally, just last year, with Pastor Franklin and Lisa officiating a renewal of vows under God.
“We never filed papers. We never quit. Even when we didn’t like each other, we kept choosing each other. And now? We’re helping to lead a marriage ministry. Not because we’re perfect. But because we survived the fire, and God gave us something worth sharing.”
Raising a New Generation
David didn’t have a father figure growing up.
But today, he is one to his two kids, to their friends, to the young adults constantly filling his home, and to the men he’s mentoring through Forge.
“Our house used to be the place where the ragers happened. Now, it’s still the place where everyone comes but it’s full of life. Full of love. Full of Jesus.”
The Call to Men: This Father’s Day, Step Up
David’s story is wild, redemptive, and raw. But more than anything, it’s a call to men everywhere.
The world is desperate for godly men. Not passive. Not performative. Not politically correct. Real men. Forged men. Kingdom men.
“The world says manhood is about bravado, how fast you chug a beer or how tough you act. But can you get on your knees and repent? Can you forgive? Can you protect your home spiritually and physically? That’s manhood.”
We need fathers who speak up. Husbands who fight for their marriage. Mentors who raise up the next generation. And leaders who give, serve, and build the Kingdom of God, not just on Sundays, but every day.
Join the Movement: Kingdom Builders
David didn’t just find faith at Dream City, he found family. Purpose. Vision. And now, as a Kingdom Builder, he’s helping other men rise too.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Don’t shrink back. Don’t coast through your calling.
Say yes. Get involved. Start showing up.
Kingdom Builders is more than a building fund. It’s a forge where families are strengthened, and legacies are built. Your time, your resources, your leadership, it matters.
This Father’s Day, become the man your family, your church, and your world needs.
