Dr. David D. Ireland is senior pastor of Christ Church, a multisite, multiracial congregation in northern New Jersey. Founded in 1986 with six members, today the congregation numbers 6,000 representing over 40 nationalities. Through their community development corporation, they offer a home for domestic violence victims, a youth leadership institute, and a statewide abstinence-based program in partnership with New Jersey schools.
Diversity is at the heart of everything David does, including his service as diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association (NBA) and leading chapel services for the N.Y. Giants and Jets, or the U.S. Pentagon. He has written over 20 books and appeared on The Dr. Phil Show, The CBS Evening News, and The 700 Club.
David began his career in civil engineering and later earned a master’s degree in theology from Alliance Theological Seminary and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Regent University with post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives, and serves on the boards of Nyack College, Alliance Theological Seminary, the Advisory Board of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, Advisory Board to New Jersey Governor’s Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Oversight Committee, and as an adjunct professor at Drew University training doctoral students in the area of leadership.