Trinity Christian activities director is excited to get kids involved

About two weeks ago, 44-year-old Dave Butler came to Williston from Massachusetts to begin what is his first teaching position at a Christian school.

After Trinity Christian Principal Doug Black offered him a position as activities director, Butler said he packed his car for North Dakota, a place he had never been before. Black found his resume online, which Butler posted two years ago.

"God brought me here, truly," Butler said.

He also happens to be qualified for the job, as he is a licensed physical education and health teacher. In the past, he has worked for private educational organizations and was assistant athletic director at an Air Force Base in West Germany.

But in Williston, he's been greeted like people at the school had known him for 20 years.

"It's the warmest welcome I've ever received in my career," he said of students, staff members and parents. "The positive attitude and the camaraderie that is here is unlike any of the schools I have ever worked at in the past."

Butler has previously worked at three public schools in drawing this comparison, as he added, "That's definitely a good start."

In the mornings, Butler monitors the fitness room for students who want an early work out. Then he's handling phone calls and other administrative duties.

Butler also teaches four to five physical education classes each afternoon with Kindergarteners through 12th graders.

"I can be doing bean bag tosses with kindergarteners one hour and then doing soccer with seventh graders the next," he said. "It keeps it very interesting."

In addition to teaching and administrative responsibilities, Butler takes care of the small details so all activities run smoothly. He is in charge of planning sporting events and acts as a liaison between Trinity Christian and other area schools.

"Should there be any emergencies, I'm here to troubleshoot," he added.

Butler is involved in a variety of activities as a result of his position, which can include anything from theater nights to after-school volleyball matches. However, most of his duties "revolve around athletics," he said.

After just two weeks on the job, Butler is already thinking ahead.

"If I can, I would like to add self defense," he said of a class for after school for all ages and staff, but not necessarily a fighting unit.

The course would involve basic self defense techniques and practical moves. Butler also may eventually add more aerobic and fitness activities.

Butler hopes to get Trinity Christian students involved in the non-profit charitable organization which he founded in 1993 called the Safe Haven Project.

"It's a camp program for children who have AIDS," Butler said. "We put on camps in the spring and summer for kids from around the country who are HIV positive ages 8 to 18. They come to regular camp and are getting their health needs met."

He has already spoken to Black about the possibility of partnering with Safe Haven for their service project, and students would then volunteer for a week at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

"They would actively serve and be around 40 kids who are HIV positive, doing sports, games and recreation," he said. "It would be great for these kids (at Trinity Christian) because they are so loving and open."

Butler also spends a lot of time in Ghana, West Africa. He has spoken with some students about doing a mission with him there, which has excited students and staff.

"I have a lot to offer as far as that's concerned," he said. "There are some outside activities that I could bring these students to if it all worked out financially and in time."

Butler was named a chief in a rural Ghana village in 2005 for the work Safe Haven does there with orphaned and HIV-positive children. He said it would be neat for kids to see what that honor means.

"I have brought other students to Ghana with me and it's been the life-changing experience of their lives," he added.

He is praying and hoping he can get the school and students involved in his charity work.

"It would be great for them and great for the kids I work with, whether here in the states or in Africa," he said.