David Willis Argue, was taken into heaven on February 19, 2019, the day before his 73rd birthday.
As his family looks back on his life, we see a man who deeply loved God and sincerely cared for people. He was musical, creative, intellectual, witty, and above all devoted to Jesus Christ.
Born in Pocatello, Idaho, on February 20, 1946, David was the second child of Canadian parents, Reverend Robert and Ruth Argue. Shortly after his birth, they returned to Canada, where David spent most of his first 25 years.
Childhood in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, was simple and profound. His parents taught him to know and love Jesus, to be courteous and well-mannered, and to devote himself to personal excellence. They loved nature and provided memorable, restorative, adventurous vacations in rustic cabins during summers. David’s love of nature would eventually lead him to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. There he would spend time gazing at the mountains and tracking North American birds.
When David was 9, he moved to Montreal, Quebec, where he developed a passion for God, learning, music, and history. He enjoyed ice skating, collecting stamps, eating his mother’s home-cooked meals, and attending cultural events. His mother died of cancer in 1963, also on February 19th, the day before his 17th birthday.
David moved to Springfield, Missouri, to attend Central Bible College where he was trained for pastoral ministry. He began dating Rogene Christensen, a fellow member of the Revivaltime Choir. Next, he completed his BA in History at Wheaton College and assisted a church planting team in Naperville, Illinois. He toured Europe, performing with the Wheaton Men’s Glee Club and married Rogene during the summer of 1968. They spent their first years ministering to youth at a church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
In 1971, they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to give leadership to college students as the Jesus movement was rapidly spreading at various campuses across the state. During that time, he completed his Master’s Degree in counseling and became a father to his first daughter and son.
After 3 years, God led Dave and Rogene to pioneer Christ’s Place Church. Started in a chapel on the University of Nebraska Campus, many were attracted to the truth taught during inspiring sermons and contemporary worship services. They found community as connections were built during weekly potluck meals and small group meetings. After outgrowing various locations, Christ’s Place built a facility at 1111 Old Cheney Road in 1984, where it remains today.
“Pastor Dave” was known for his powerful teaching, creative object lessons, thought-provoking words of wisdom, entertaining stories, and personal interest in each person he met. He knew when you learned about the faith of a mustard seed while holding one, you were impacted by the truth. Under his leadership, many followed God’s direction to serve Christ in the local community and abroad.
Outside of his role as Senior Pastor, he served as a key architect of Chi Alpha campus ministry, Nebraska District Councilman, North Central University Regent, Regional and later, Executive Presbyter for the Assemblies of God.
During their later years of ministry together at Christ’s Place, Rogene courageously battled cancer and David stood with her faithfully. Losing his wife of 24 years was heartbreaking, and David was elated when God provided another partner for him while leading a group on a tour of Israel, where he met Jackie Yeackley.
In 1994, surrounded by family and friends, they married and their families were joined. Jackie and her 3 children moved from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lincoln, Nebraska. David and Jackie served together at Christ’s Place and then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve the Rocky Mountain District Council of the Assemblies of God as a spiritual coach to many pastors.
Throughout his life, David was given multiple opportunities to speak at camps and conferences and publish articles. He also enjoyed creating devotional entries for his blog and was humbled by its impact. He authored a manual for Chi Alpha Campus Ministries called “Spirit Life.” Over the course of his life, he traveled to Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Israel, Mexico, the Bahamas, Hawaii, the Middle East, and numerous European countries. He served at various Colorado, Nebraska, and Utah congregations as Interim Pastor in his later years. He thoroughly enjoyed opportunities to speak about life in the Spirit, and Jackie often joined him in speaking on subjects of grief, blended families, and ways to strengthen marriages.
David was an avid reader and collector of books and articles-many would become illustrations for his carefully crafted sermons. During his years as pastor, he developed a color coding system for personal Bible study. He was passionate about teaching the Word and having others develop meaningful habits in their personal devotions. But, the most important thing David would want us to know is that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
David leaves behind his beloved, joyful wife Jackie, their 5 children Cami (Paul), Brad (Amy), Shayla (Jennifer), Micah, Jessica (JJ), and 14 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Judy (Peter) and Jennifer (James) and his Christensen and Stutzman extended family. Finally, we recognize the hundreds of brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God all across the globe who know him as “Pastor Dave” and friend.
His family recognizes the excellent care given by Colorado Palliative and Hospice Care of Colorado Springs. We are grateful for their services during his final weeks of life.
MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION
Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 10 a.m. MT
Springs Church
1515 Auto Mall Loop
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
may be sent to the family:
Jackie Argue
10867 Hidden Brook Circle
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
*A portion of memorial donations will go to provide clean water in rural Tajikistan.
Flowers for the memorial service may be sent to:
Springs Church
1515 Auto Mall Loop
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Recent Comments