The small city of Schaffhausen, Switzerland, cradled in the Swiss hills near the German border, was David Guenthardt’s childhood home. The quiet rhythm of this picturesque place seemed to mirror his early years, rooted in the traditions of family and faith. The oldest of four children, David grew up engaged in church activities, blessed by the legacy of his parents’ Christian faith.
David’s own path to faith involved searching and questioning. As a teenager, he realized his inherited faith wasn’t enough; he needed something deeper, something personal. By his early twenties, he had made decisions that were guiding his life moving forward: he would walk with God wholeheartedly, even as he balanced the demands of his growing athletic and career aspirations.
It was during this season of discovery and commitment that David met Sharla. Their connection felt providential—two people with similar upbringings and shared values. Together, they envisioned a life centered on faith, one that has spanned 23 years of marriage and the raising of two sons, Adrian and Ryan, in the same spirit of devotion. David’s teenage years also brought another type of preparation: one for the practical paths of life. In Switzerland, the age of sixteen marks a decisive crossroads: would he pursue academics or learn a trade? David chose the latter, studying electronics while simultaneously earning his high school diploma. At twenty, he faced another choice: continue in his trade or explore new horizons?
His decision to join Switzerland’s light infantry—a unit akin to the U.S. Green Berets—marked a significant step in his journey. The military instilled discipline and structure, but David eventually returned to his IT roots, knowing it would provide stability for a growing family. Each step seemed to echo the Lenten call to prepare for the challenges and responsibilities ahead.
Sometimes, life’s turning points come as unexpected invitations. One sunny day in Büsingen, a German enclave surrounded by Switzerland, David strolled through town with a basketball under his arm. Dan Psaute, an American lecturer at nearby European Nazarene Bible College and his friend Rick stopped him to chat. David previously had no ties to the Church of the Nazarene, and that “chance” encounter set his life on a new course.
Avid basketball fan Rick casually invited David to visit him in Arizona—a gesture David took seriously. His first trip fulfilled his dream of seeing the Phoenix Suns play basketball. On a return visit, he met Sharla. What began as a long-distance relationship soon led to marriage at age 23.
Two years later the young couple moved to Shaffhausen for David’s further education, where they spent the next 16 years, taking active leadership in the life of the Büsingen Nazarene Church. During this time, to fill a vacancy, David learned to play the guitar.
Click on the image below to watch a short clip of David biking.
Athletics has always been a part of David’s life. As a boy, soccer was his first love, but hip problems at age nine forced him to pivot to handball, where he thrived. A shoulder injury at sixteen ended that chapter, and he turned to basketball, playing competitively until his military service.
Years later, a simple bike ride with work buddies ignited his spirit for endurance athletics. What began as a long commute grew into a competitive passion for mountain biking. Driven by a desire to be the best, he spent his mornings training rigorously while balancing his demanding career and family life.
Over the years, David’s dedication has borne fruit: including a world championship title in short-distance Powerman duathlon in 2017, a Swiss National title in XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon, a second-place finish at the 2021 XTERRA World Championship, and a second-place in the USA Triathlon National Ranking in 2023. Yet for David, the true victories aren’t the medals but the process—the perseverance, the personal growth, and the glory given to God.
David’s life today mirrors the balance suggested by the 40 days of Lent. He plans his schedule meticulously, with training sessions beginning before dawn and evenings reserved for family time. Even then, he usually finds ways to blend his roles—pedaling on a stationary bike while watching a movie with his family.
Through it all, faith remains his anchor. Challenges, like Adrian’s heart surgery at six months old, have only deepened David and Sharla’s reliance on God. In 2018, they felt called to leave the comfort of their life in Switzerland and return to the U.S., a move that tested their trust in God’s provision. Their music leadership is much appreciated at Crossroads Nazarene.
This year, David renewed his professional triathlon license, setting his sights on several high-profile races, including the IRONMAN Pro Series and IRONMAN Arizona. Competing with athletes who train and race for a living and are half his age, these events for him are less about winning and more about the joy of competing, the thrill of pushing his limits, and the opportunity to honor God.
At nearly 47, David’s perspective remains rooted in his faith. “It’s about doing what God designed my body to do,” he reflects. His journey embodies the values of Lent: rigorous preparation, steadfast discipline, and continual renewal. Whether on the racecourse, with his family, at work or worship, David’s life is a testament to the enduring power of faith and purposeavailable to Christ followers in every step of life’s journey.