August 19, 2023

Dear Grace, it was indeed with great sadness that I saw David’s obituary. I enjoyed the beautiful music and photos of his life. always surrounded by a group of people.,
he touched so o many people. We honour his life so dedicated to following Jesus. wishing you peace at this most difficult time. we are grateful to have known both of you though just a short time. peace Art and Leona Defehr

February 20, 2023

Dear Grace and Family,
I am grateful for David and for the interest he took in me as an adult missionary kid who was (and still is) finding his way as a follower of Jesus in this wonderful place called the United States of America.  I also appreciate my brief interactions with Merv and Karen and with Jonathan.  I pray that you know God’s comfort, peace and joy through Jesus even as you grieve.
Steve Martin

February 19, 2023

Karen, Doris, Jonathan, and Timothy.  This feels a little irreverent.  Today we talked with our son Steve in Washington DC and we mentioned that we watched the memorial service online.  Much to my surprise he remembers all four of you from the mid 1970’s.  It was like wow this family had a television in the house and apparently as the adults were in a prayer meeting the kids played cops and robbers.  Now he tells me nearly 50 years later.  Steve is just a few months older than Timothy and we were at Rosslyn from 1973-76. Lois and I were appreciative of how the four of you spoke well of your father, David. Alton Longenecker, Elkhart Indiana

February 18, 2023

Karen, Doris, Jonathon, Timothy
What a soulful experience it was watching the memorial video of your father’s life and by extention, each of your lives from childhood onward. How well I remember your dad’s warmth, curiosity, sincerity and fun-loving spirit whether at drop-off and pick-up from the Rosslyn dorm, climbing the Aberdare Mountains, a reconnaisance camping trip through northeast Kenya, visits at the Centre in Garissa, or the Sunday night Somali Fellowship at your home in Eastleigh. I consider myself blessed to have been touched by his wide sphere of influence and on this day of honouring his memory I join from afar in pondering the mystery that a faithful man of God is now on the ultimate journey into the fullness of Divine Love. 
– Tama (Tammy) Ward from Vancouver, British Columbia

February 18, 2023

David was an icon to the Mennonite fratanity. May God Rest His Soul In Eternal Peace. Amen.

February 17, 2023

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of David. Please accept my sincere condolences during this difficult time.
David was an extraordinary man of God who made a profound impact on my life. He shared his wisdom, faith, and generosity with me, and I am forever grateful for his guidance. As a true leader and mentor, he inspired me to become the best version of myself, and I know he did the same for others. David’s kindness knew no bounds, and his legacy will continue to touch countless lives for many years to come.
Although he is no longer with us, David’s memory will remain a source of strength and inspiration. I am grateful to have known him, and I will always cherish the valuable lessons he taught me. Rest in peace, David, and thank you for everything.
Admir Perleka

February 17, 2023

Jonathan and I want to express our heartfelt sympathy to you, David’s beautiful family.   David has been and will continue to be an inspriation to us to think outside the box, to have and share contagious joy, and to look for ways to build bridges of peace to make the world a kinder place.   May you know God’s peace and comfort in many tangiable ways these days…you all are held close to our hearts.  
Jonathan & Jennie Groff

February 15, 2023

Millard and I want you to know we are praying for you during these days of much change for each of you, and especially for you, Grace, who has served David all these years. May you find comfort, peace, and strength to go on. You have been blessed to be a part of his life here on earth.  Lovingly, Millard and Priscilla Garrett

February 13, 2023

David Shenk became to me a role model of love and respect for human diginity. I grew up under persecution from Somalis which led to me hating them,  but i learned from David that it is by loving those who persecute you that the true gospel witness can flow even to the darkest of hearts. Fare thee well Papa!!
Moses Munywoki (Kenyan Missionary)

February 13, 2023

What a joy-filled blessing and privilege to have known, served and traveled with David, to have interpreted for him, and been befriended and mentored by him these last 15 years! I will keep as a precious memory his incapacity or disinterest in “growing out of” his childlike wonder of Jesus as the life-transforming, hope-inspiring revelation of an enemy-reconciling God for whose sake any risk or adventre was well worth taking… And I hope I can always heed the last coherent thing I heard him say to the team he had formed to carry on, among Muslim neighbors everywhere, his loving service to his beloved Redeemer: “Don’t forget to share the attractiveness of Jesus!” (Andres Prins)

February 11, 2023

David and Grace have been such a wonderful example of a couple who loved the Lord, were fully committed to serve with grateful hearts, and simply “kept on ticking” in amazing ways! They loved their family and delighted in their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I was blessed to serve with David in various ways, including hearing him speak often. One thing especially stood out. He would find an engaging, gracious way to speak of Jesus and to frequently share how, as a boy, God met him in East Africa in a total life-shaping way. That testimony sticks in my mind and heart, along with Grace’s choice to fully entrust her life and their lives in the Lord’s hands and serve him however and wherever the Lord would direct. And they did that! I also enjoyed David’s uniqueness, including so clearly reflecting that he grew up in an oral culture that highlighted story-telling. David was great at that! It seemed clear to me in speaking with him that while his official citizenship may have been of the US, he was indeed African at heart! And he loved it!

February 06, 2023

You will be greatly missed David.
You are a dear father, close friend and above all passionate for Christ, His Father in heaven and full of the Spirit. I am glad you are in the presence of the God, our Father, whom you loved and sacrificed your life.
Orgert

February 05, 2023

David W.Shenk contributed greatly to the formative years of my faith through the Christian apologetic resources he wrote. I was even more blessed when I got to meet during his visit to Messiah University’s Philly campus in the late 90s. My condolences to his family and friends. 

February 05, 2023

Go well Daudi. It was good knowing you. You made the world a better place than you found it. 

February 04, 2023

I am deeply saddened to hear the death of Dr. David Shenk.
He was such an instrumental to support the ministry of the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia during our underground years because of the Communiest government.  He was a good friend of MKC at the time of our need. 
He was Unrivaled and his ministry was inspirational mainly to dialogue with Muslim friends peacefully. We are so fortunate to have had him in our lives. He will forever be remembered in the highest regard.
May God comfort his families & riends! 
Pastor Desalegn Abebe,
( president,MKC)