Reverend David Carl Brighton

Reverend David Carl Brighton was born on 28 October 1955 in Philadelphia, PA. Beginning with his baptism on 20 November 1955, David was raised as a child of God by his dearly devoted parents, Dr. Carl and Ruth Brighton. He was the oldest of four children, including his sister Susan, and brothers Andrew and Joel. Learning from his parents’ example, David garnered a zest for knowledge, discipline, sports, work ethic and most importantly love - not only for those around him but for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For David, life was simple and would never be about amassing material possessions or worldly accolades. He knew what kind of legacy he wanted to leave behind. Joshua 24:15 reads, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And that, dear friends, was the legacy he strived to leave behind for his family and anyone and everyone the Lord put in his path.

This proclamation would guide David as he grew from a boy into a young man. He enjoyed many hobbies along the way, including reading, music, collecting stamps, and any and all sports. He was a life-long fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, and the St. Louis Cardinals, among others. He really enjoyed the spirit of competition and hard work associated with athletics.

David would Major in Pre-Med his freshman year at Valparaiso University, before ultimately switching to History with a minor in Greek. Upon his graduation, he felt the calling to serve the Lord in the Ministry and enrolled at Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis, MO, where he would receive his Master of Divinity. During his third year there, you could say his true legacy began. He was sent to Raleigh, NC, to complete his vicarage that year, and met a young lady named Marcia Swaim whom he would later render the title as the most beautiful and wonderful woman in the world. Upon graduating and becoming an ordained minister of the Lord the following year, Marcia and David were married shortly after, on June 19th, 1982. They would become inseparable, she being his best friend, and he, hers. Together they had five wonderful children: Michelle, Emily, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Elizabeth. David loved his children very much and felt blessed with so much joy watching them grow up over the years. He was constantly involved in their lives and was always there to cheer them on at their games, to encourage them in the classroom and above all to guide them on their journey with the Lord. He would also be blessed with three beautiful grandchildren, Olivia, Ezekiel, and Selah. They were his pride and joy and he loved them dearly.

Upon graduating from Seminary, David was first called to become the Associate Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, in Omaha, NE from 1982-1984. He then became the Senior Pastor at St. Mark from 1984-1990. He was then called to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, WV, where he would serve as the Senior Pastor from 1990-1999. His final call was to become the Senior Pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, in Warner Robins, GA and he would serve as the Senior Pastor from 1999 until the time of his passing. In 2009, David was elected as the Vice President of the LCMS Georgia/Florida district. From 2012 until his passing, he served as the First Vice President. During his tenure at Mt. Calvary, David had the honor and privilege of mentoring and teaching twenty different vicars, who all held a special place in David’s heart. He was a leader of men, and he enjoyed nothing more than seeing other young men grow closer to Christ and stronger in the word, as they walked in humble servitude through the ministry on their journey to becoming leaders of men in their own right.

David approached each and every day with contagious vigor, uncompromising purpose and palpable love all of which were encapsulated with a joyful smile and a resounding message of hope, received through baptism and proclaimed to all through God’s word. David never sought things of this world. For him, life was simple. He spent time each and every day with the Lord in thought, word and prayer. The only legacy he prayed for was for his children, his church, and people of all nations to know the love, grace, hope, joy, peace and eternal life which is theirs, through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. David was a blessing and a humble servant of the Lord. A man of God.

David passed away on January 10th, 2021 at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife Marcia, his mother Ruth, his sister Susan, his two brothers Andrew and Joel, his five children Michelle, Emily, Jonathan, Benjamin and Elizabeth and his three grandchildren Olivia, Ezekiel and Selah.

There will be a public viewing on January 19th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Warner Robins, GA.

A private family celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 20th at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. The service will be live-streamed and available to view on Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church’s facebook page, as well at their Youtube channel.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be directed to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 336 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.