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David Ireland PhD

Author

David Ireland lead pastor of Christ Church, a multisite, multiracial congregation in northern New Jersey. When he founded the church in 1986, they had six members. Today they have a congregation of 8,000 representing over 60 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 Ireland does—from serving as a diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association to leading chapel services for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and at the U.S. Pentagon. He's written over 20 books and appeared on The Dr. Phil Show, The CBS Evening News, and The 700 Club.

He began his career in civil engineering with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering (Fairleigh Dickinson University) and a graduate degree in civil engineering (Stevens Institute of Technology). Later he attended seminary, earning a master’s degree in theology (Alliance Theological Seminary) and a doctorate degree in organizational leadership (Regent University). He completed post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania.

He is an appointed member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives. He also serves on the boards of Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary, Advisory Board of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, Advisory Board to New Jersey Governor’s Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Oversight Committee, and adjunct professor at Drew University training doctoral students in the area of leadership.

David married his wife Marlinda in 1984, and they have two daughters.