David Appleby: A Fisher of Men
David Appleby is quite good at fishing, but not the kind of fishing that normally comes to mind. And he’s been at it a long time— beginning as an adolescent and continuing to this day, well into his 87th year.
David could have followed many paths in his life, any of which would have likely brought him success and even fortune. But he chose to follow the mandate of Jesus and will be long-remembered as a “fisher” of men’s souls—an influence reverberating through two USA Salvation Army territories (Eastern and Southern).
One of four sons of Salvation Army officers, David has been faithful to The Salvation Army’s mission and ministry since his first Sunday in an Army meeting at the tender age of two weeks.
At age six, he became a junior soldier, and that Christmas he began volunteering as a bell-ringer, until age nine when he instead began to play Christmas carols on a pump organ, becoming proficient on the keyboard in his adolescent years.
Upon enrollment as a senior soldier in 1945, David formed the habit of rising 45 minutes early each morning for systematic Bible study, a habit maintained throughout high school, college, his U.S. Navy career, his study overseas as a Fulbright scholar, and even to this day.
His love for God’s Word is further indicated by his years of contribution through the Army’s Corps Cadet lessons, as well as seven years as a Bible instructor at the Eastern Territory’s School for Officer Training.
He soldiered at the Manhattan Citadel Corps for 17 years, working with teens at the corps, on the street, and in their homes every day from 4:00 in the afternoon to late at night, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
At the Citadel, he organized and taught budding musicians from beginner level to advanced, working with them as individuals and groups several times each week. He even taught them how to transpose music from church hymnals so that when making guest appearances in other churches, they could easily play in the same key as the church organist.
Most importantly, he taught them that Army bandsmen were not merely musicians, but soldiers with a vital mission and ministry for the Kingdom.
While a soldier at Manhattan Citadel, David established at Eastern Territorial Headquarters (THQ) a trust fund for young adult soldiers pursuing a college education. Today, after more than 40 years, this fund provides $20,000 for that purpose. That trust fund is only one of three he established for the Army, and all on his schoolteacher’s salary!
But that was then; what follows is now.
Coming to the warmer climes of Columbia, South Carolina in 2002, David and his wife, Eileen, fully intended to enjoy the benefits of retirement. Instead, David quickly established a rapport with the homeless and recovering addict populations in the area. At one time he was serving as mentor for 15 men in the corps’ recovery program.
Over the years, many of his mentees would experience relapse, but David continued visiting and mentoring them, causing one of his “successes” to call him a pit bull “because once he gets a hold of you, he won’t let go!”
Another who disappeared, but eventually came back after David’s long search and tenacity, today testifies, “I knew Mr. Appleby was a pit bull, but I didn’t know he was a hound dog too!”
David has served as a payee for those whom Social Security deems incapable of handling their own finances. He has stood by several of his “adopted sons” during legal proceedings, many facing charges ranging from writing bad checks to drug felonies. He helps his guys find housing, furniture, transportation, and jobs. He has even occasionally given one-on-one literacy training when needed.
The men David has “fished” for easily number in the hundreds, and possibly thousands.
He visits them in their homes or on the streets where they spend the night. Many have been visited in jails and prisons. Upon their release, David is there to help them get reestablished in non-institutional life. These hundreds of “sons” show their love by calling him “Pops” and sending him Father’s Day cards.
At the Columbia Corps, he regularly conducts an adult Bible class and plays piano for worship services. He loves to introduce a wealth of Army songs, both old and new, to his adoring corps family.
David conducts a strict three-month soldiership class, teaching an astounding 168 recruits since 2004. Even though not all made it through the entire course, 61 have been enrolled—42 as soldiers with full compliance with the Soldiers’ Covenant and 19 as adherents.
Today, about 75 percent of the current number of active soldiers at the Columbia Corps are the product of David’s influence and training, many of whom are formerly homeless and/or recovering substance abusers.
“Each recruit who attends a soldiership class which I conduct is on my prayer list for life, even if he drops out after only one class,” David says.
One such recruit completed the 13-session course, but during the week between the final class and his enrollment as a senior soldier, the man relapsed. David kept on his case, persistently visiting him.
“Whenever he would not open the door, I could be fairly sure he was inside with friends,” David says. “Five months later, my knock was once again ignored. As I got into my car to drive away, I noticed a wide-open window. So, I got out of my car, stuck my head through the window, and ordered him to open that door!”
Even though other people were indeed inside, the man did so. They both cried and prayed together. A few weeks later, he showed up at the corps, saying, “Okay. This time I’m ready!”
Today, that “trophy of grace” is Corps Sergeant Major (CSM) Melvin Tucker—faithfully serving in that local officer position for six years now.
“Mr. Appleby is a godly man and a mentor to me,” CSM Tucker says. “He is a father figure to me, and I didn’t have much of a father in my life. He works at the shelter for countless hours and mentors all the men in our Men’s Club, averaging at least 13 men at a time. He even mentors men that don’t attend the corps here. I love him. I stand here today because of him!”
Another of David’s “sons,” Marvin Richardson, agrees. “When I first came to The Salvation Army, Mr. Appleby was the one who saw something in me I didn’t see in myself. I didn’t understand how to trust others because my lifestyle didn’t allow me to. But he taught me to trust, to be responsible as a man of God in the world.”
Marvin went on to explain, “To have someone believe in you like that has to be from God. I never could trust anyone to ‘have my back’ until I met Mr. Appleby.”
For 30 years, Marvin was both a substance abuser and a dealer. He even admits that when he first entered the Army’s recovery program it was only to “get clean” so he could return to the street to concentrate on being a drug dealer.
“But [David] is not only the reason I am soldier today, but why I’m still alive today. His high standards and example make me want to be a better man.” Marvin said, his eyes filling with tears.
Major Henry Morris, one of David’s former corps officers says, “David Appleby means a great deal to the corps. He is the backbone. He nurtures our soldiers, and they love him dearly. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for every corps to have a David Appleby!”
At the recent 50th anniversary celebration of Camp Walter Johnson — and with some of his converts in attendance — David was presented with the Others Award.
“David Appleby is a wonderful example of Salvationism and the unconditional love of Christ,” Commissioner Kelly Igleheart announced in making the presentation. The people he mentors are “branded by society as outcasts” but those are the ones David goes after. “He often drives [new soldiers] to the Trade Department at THQ specifically to help them get their uniforms and wear them properly and proudly.
“He has even reached into the second and third generations” of the trophies of grace he has won to Christ.
For over 85 years now, David Appleby has been engaged in this Great Salvation War. He has been a “fisher of men” all his life. For the past 25 years alone, his main “fishing hole” has been at the Army’s shelter in Columbia. And cousin, the fishing is good!
