Pastor David M. Screven was called to the ministry in 1961. He was licensed as a minister in 1962 and ordained as an Elder in 1966. Pastor Screven has been spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ for almost 50 years.

Pastor Screven attended Bethesda Church of God In Christ in Newark, New Jersey where his father, the late Dr. James H. Screven, was the pastor. Elder Screven served in the following capacities at Bethesda: as Assistant Pastor for Fourteen Years, the First Youth Leader and YPWW President.

In addition to the positions he held at Bethesda, Pastor Screven also served the New Jersey State Jurisdiction of COGIC as Newark District YPWW President, New Jersey State Youth Coordinator, and Public Relations Representative of New Jersey.

In 1976, with the leading of the Lord, Bishop Dewitt A. Burton was moved to appoint Elder David M. Screven as the pastor of the Emanuel Church of God in Christ in Harrisburg, PA. In January 1977, Elder Screven was installed as the pastor of Emanuel. He also has been serving as the Pastor of Emanuel for the past 35 years where the Lord continues to bless his ministry.

After relocating to Pennsylvania, Pastor Screven served in the following areas of work in the Eastern Jurisdiction of PA COGIC: Harrisburg District Superintendent, Jurisdictional Secretary, and Chairman of the Board of Elders.

Pastor Screven has also served in various capacities in the National Work of the Church of God in Christ, INC. Pastor Screven was the Eastern Regional Director and Dean of the Charles H. Mason System of Bible Colleges, a Board of Director for the Church of God in Christ Hospital Fund, Chairman of the Job Description/Remuneration Committee and acting Parliamentarian for the General Assembly (legislative body of the church). Pastor Screven is currently serving in National Work of the Church of God in Christ as: Chairman of the Credentials and Certification Commission and Member of the Executive Committee of the General Assembly.

As a servant of the Harrisburg community, Pastor Screven served as President of the Interdenominational Ministers Conference of Greater Harrisburg (IMC), Inc from 2005-2009.

Pastor Screven is a Strong Believer in Education. He received his formal Education in the Newark, NJ school system and has attended Austin Peay State University (Clarkesville, TN), Manhattan Bible Institute, Newark Bible College, and Liberty University earning degrees in Religious Education, Church Administration and Theology.

Pastor Screven has devoted his life to the service of others. He has coined the phrase "It's nice to be nice." Under his leadership, the church has developed various ministries designed to enrich the total man.

Pastor David M. Screven is the husband of Mother Billie Screven of whom he has been happily married to for the past 44 years. He is also the father of one daughter Lisa C. Robbins and son-In Law Pastor Clarence L. Robbins III, one son Deacon David E. Screven, Esq.