Leadership

We’re glad you’re here!

Thanks for checking out our House of Refuge.  We hope you will get a better feel for what the House of Refuge is all about as you look through the site. Check out the Gallery there are photos of events and church activities there.  If you have any questions please take a moment to send one of our staff a quick email and we would be happy to help you in  any way that we can.


Dave & Rebecca Ballard

Ministry Facilitators
E-mail Dave & Rebecca Ballard

Dave Ballard and his wife Rebecca first came to House of Refuge in 1986 when they moved to Duluth as newlyweds.  They immediately stepped into a life of ministry together.  Over time they have led youth ministries, produced dramas, led worship, organized retreats and conferences, done counseling, and taught Sunday School.  In 1995 Dave received his ministry credentials with the Assemblies of God.  In 1999 Dave left his job as a photojournalist and stepped into full time ministry as the Lead Elder at then Living Stones Fellowship.  God gave them a ministry vision of “connecting the needs of people with the power of God”.  Since that time he has worked to fulfill that vision and build physical and spiritual relationships to further the Kingdom of God. To better fit the Ballard’s ministry vision the church was renamed Duluth House of Refuge in 2015
Working together, the Ballards have dedicated themselves to build a strong church community based on releasing the power of the Holy Spirit in its midst. They have hosted a nightly prayer gathering since February 7, 2018 seeing hundreds of people from dozens of churches gathering to rest in the presence of God, then pray His heart for that night. Rebecca hosts a weekly video podcast “Arise Shine”, talking about relevant spiritual topics. She also regularly does Sozo prayer for hurting and needy people. In November of 2020, Dave stepped into a role of part time chaplain at Teen Challenge in Duluth. That opened a door for a partnership between House of Refuge and Teen Challenge where Refuge ministers a couple nights a week to men from Teen Challenge. The Ballard’s believe God wants to change lives and the world using His church released in the power of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.  The Ballards have 7 children, and 14 grandchildren.