Daniel Bayse

First Baptist Church, Trussville
Birmingham Baptist Association

Favorite Verse: Psalm 138:8

Favorite Hymn: “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”

Hobbies: Being a photographer, grandparent and president of homeowner’s association

Family Status: Wife of nine years, Jane; children: Justin Bayse, Stephanie Hart and John Futrell; three grandchildren

Daniel Bayse, 65, is a former Navy photographer, former member of Virginia’s state police and retired vocational rehabilitation counselor for Veterans Affairs. A licensed professional counselor, Bayse is an evangelist whose primary focus is on the family. He conducts youth seminars, is a counseling supervisor, provides training for prison and jail ministry volunteers and offers ministers a “safe place to talk.” This author of nine books also is founder of Prison Family Foundation, Inc.   

Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?

A: My grandfather was one of the founding ministers of what is now the Wesleyan church. So I grew up in a Christian home. I went into the Navy in 1965. I accepted Christ in the Christian Men’s Service Center in Norfolk, Va., in November 1966.

Q: When and how were you led into this ministry?

A: I was called into the ministry in high school but didn’t follow it. Events happened while I was a trooper that made it evident God wanted me in the ministry. I resigned, moved to Dothan and started school at Baptist Bible Institute.

Q: What does this ministry demand? 

A: One of the key elements is having the education to understand what you’re doing. I had the unique combination of police work, theology and education in counseling. It gave me the knowledge to build on and the knowledge to do it. But I have a passion for the people the rest of society wants to push aside.

Q: What do you get from this ministry?

A: Peace. It has never been one that would make a lot of money. I’m not rich, but I’m the richest guy in town. There is a peace and joy seeing the Holy Spirit break the shell of the hardest heart. You watch the healing process get started. I like to watch God work.

Q: How do family members support you?

A: I couldn’t do this without the support and encouragement of my wife. She prays with me. She travels with me sometimes. Frequently she goes with me as a soloist, and I love to hear her sing.

Q: What difference will this ministry make for you in the future? 

A: The satisfaction that I know I’m in the center of God’s will. I just like knowing that I’m being used by the Father.

Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?

A: Night and day. When I accepted Christ into my life, I was at the decision point of whether I was going to go the route of other sailors or follow Christ. I decided to follow Christ all the way through the Navy and started serving churches wherever I was stationed. I’ve followed Him ever since.