FBI SPECIAL AGENT USED TO WORK AS A YOUTH PASTOR

David Foster ’95 started his career as a therapeutic recreation major, but now works for the FBI. How did he get there?

Foster works as a Special Agent with the FBI, working at their location in Pittsburgh. Over the 15 years he has worked for the government organization, he has worked in various violation sections of the FBI, such as Organized Crime, Counterintelligence, International Human Source Operations, Criminal Cyber Investigations and is now in International Terrorism.

Although he couldn’t talk much about the details of his job, he details his praise for the FBI.

“The FBI is truly an amazing organization and ‘to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States’ is a very real privilege and responsibility as well,” he said.

Before becoming an FBI Special Agent, Foster worked in the healthcare field following graduation, then attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His first job in healthcare was at REMED Care, a rehabilitation program in Philadelphia for victims of traumatic brain injuries. “Around that time, I also felt inspired to consider the ministry, so I began taking seminary classes at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania,” he said.

After five years in the healthcare field and growing his faith, Foster said he felt called

Ava Foster ’24, daughter of David ’95 and Rachel ’95, currently attends Messiah as a biology major. Since both her parents are alumni, Messiah was always on her radar but she ultimately decided to commit to the University because of its biochemistry major. Although she originally planned to become a pharmacist, she changed her mind and switched from biochemistry to biology.

to pursue a full-time career in ministry. “What started out as a curiosity, led to a calling,” he said. While studying, he started working as a part-time youth pastor and finished his Master of Divinity in 2001.

He served in three different churches in the Pittsburgh and Eastern Ohio areas, starting as a youth pastor and finishing as a solo senior pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America.

“I enjoyed teaching and preaching to youth and adults. To dig deep into the truth of Scripture is a privilege and responsibility, and I enjoyed the creative pursuit. I also enjoyed helping people grow,” Foster said.

So why work for the FBI? Foster said it wasn’t an easy decision. “I want to be useful, and faithful to the gifts God has given me. In our 10+ years in ministry, [my wife] and I became increasingly convinced that our gifts with people, community, and relationships could be better expressed away from the pulpit. It took time, thinking, reading, talking and prayer,” he said.

Throughout his various careers, Foster focuses on vocation and calling. “For me, all three of my careers have pushed me to be useful and obedient to what God has blessed me with,” he said. “I tell people often, ‘one’s calling is not always one’s career.’ Regardless, your calling should put to use the talents and abilities you’ve been uniquely given.”

— Molly McKim ’23

“At the time, I was considering a career in pharmacy, and Messiah had good opportunities in that area,” she said. “I worked as a pharmacy technician, and it helped me see that I would want to be the person ordering the prescription, instead of the person filling it. I discovered a passion for more direct patient care, so I pursued a biomedical concentration in the biology department here at Messiah.”

After graduation, she plans to attend medical school to become a doctor. She hopes to work in disaster relief and to travel to places in need of medical care.

— Molly McKim ’23