David Ireland

I am founder and lead pastor of Christ Church, a thriving 8,000-member multisite and multiracial congregation in northern New Jersey.
My personal mission is to be an authentic reconciler. I live to actualize the Bible’s mandate that the church operates inter-culturally and functions as a transforming institution. I take this mission beyond the church walls by serving as diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association.
For nearly 25 years, I have coached leaders all over the world in organizations, churches, government agencies, and universities. This vast breadth of leadership experience is the greatest gift I can offer you.
I’m honored to serve you through this blog and offer it as a coaching tool for your personal and professional leadership and for building diversity in every area of your life.
I am lead pastor of Christ Church, a multisite, multiracial congregation in northern New Jersey. When I founded the church in 1986 we had six members. Today we have a congregation of 8,000 representing over 60 nationalities. Through our community development corporation, we 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 I do—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. I’ve written over 20 books and appeared on The Dr. Phil Show, The CBS Evening News, and The 700 Club.
I began my 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 I attended seminary, earning a master’s degree in theology (Alliance Theological Seminary) and a doctorate degree in organizational leadership (Regent University). I completed post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania.
DDI_5I am an appointed member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives. I also serve 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.
My wife, Marlinda, and I married in 1984 and have two daughters.