Our Pastor

S. David Stanly

Pastor David Stanly was born and brought up in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India.  He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at a young age and was trained in the Pentecostal faith ever since.  His parents welcomed early missionaries from the West and worked hand in hand with them in establishing churches and schools.

In 1985, he graduated from Tamil Nadu Bible College in Coimbatore which is run by Church of God in India. After his completion, he became the associate pastor of International Pentecostal Church in Udupi, Karnataka, India and served there for 10 years.  While pastoring International Pentecostal Church, he also worked with India Bible Literature (IBL) and served as an associate staff worker of Intercollegiate Prayer Fellowship (ICPF) in Manipal, India, among the college students.  In 1994, along with his wife Martha, he founded Comforter Mission Trust (CMT) in India which is now known as Comforter Action Mission Trust (CAMT).  Pastor David also graduated from Tung Ling Bible School in Singapore and traveled extensively throughout South East Asia and Europe as an evangelist with a powerful ministry followed by signs and wonders. In 2005, he founded Comforter Missions in the USA and currently serving as the president of CM.

Pastor David moved to the United States in 1998 and worked in Rock-Tenn Packaging Company in Scarborough, Maine, as a web operator for 12 years. While at work, he continued his education in the United States and graduated from Andover College in Portland, Maine, with a Business degree in 2004. With hard work and determination he continued his education in Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry in 2009. He pursued his graduate program at the University of New England and graduated with Masters in Social Work (MSW) in 2012. Pastor David was recognized by the UNE School of Social Work faculty as the best student and received the outstanding student award and was nominated for several other awards and recognitions. In 2013, he received his Maine State license as a social worker and works as an Outpatient Clinician at a well reputed local organization. Thereafter completing his biblical studies and credentialing requirements with Northern New England District, he became the senior pastor of Grace Family Church in 2009. In 2012, Pastor David was ordained under the NNED and continues to serve as the senior pastor of GFC.

Pastor David passionately pursues God and has a great heart for God and the people.  He is actively involved in local and foreign missions.  He has established several churches in India.  He is actively involved in social services, evangelism, church planting, church growth and revival. He firmly believes in the power of prayer and stands ready to pray for those who are in need or going through difficult times in their lives.  He is blessed with his wife Martha and three sons Calvin, Victor, and Wesley and lives in South Portland, Maine.