Dave Anderson was born in 1961 in Cadillac, Michigan to parents Red and Ruth. He grew up in a loving family environment and accepted Jesus Christ after his mother's funeral. He met his wife Cheryl in 1979 and they have two sons. Anderson earned a Bachelor's degree in youth leadership after Cheryl supported the family financially while he attended college. Anderson has worked in youth ministry since 1980 in various roles such as Sunday school teacher, camp staff, and youth minister at two churches for 18 years. He feels called by God to combine issues of faith and life in his ministry work.