David Ireland is the lead pastor of Christ Church, a multi-site, multi-racial congregation in northern New Jersey. He founded the church in 1986 when they we had six members. Today it’s a congregation of 8,000 representing over 60 nationalities.
 Ireland has served as a diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association has led chapel services for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and at 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 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 his 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 and his wife Marlinda, have been married since 1984 and have two daughters.