David’s overarching calling lies in preaching and teaching scripture, whether from the pulpit, in small groups, through writings and media ministries or in Adult Education classes. He loves worship and is committed to fostering discipleship in the body of Christ.

With a long time interest in spiritual practice, organizational structure, and personnel development, David previously served several churches and on campuses in the Washington D.C. area, enjoying youth ministry in particular. Before that he worked in business and law and continues to serve on for-profit and non-profit boards. David has served on the Presbytery’s young adult, youth worker, campus ministry, stewardship, personnel, investment, and permanent judicial committees. He is a member of the Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington’s Company of Teachers. He has loved seeing Bradley Hills grow in membership, financial strength, diversity, staff, impact, and spirit and is looking forward to where God is calling us next.

David is a former scholar, program director, and senior fellow at the New America Foundation think tank. His articles have appeared in a variety of religious and secular publications and as assignments in courses. David’s books include, Practicing Balance: How Congregations Can Promote Harmony in Work and Life; The Five Letters Every Christian Should Write; Christian Followship: Discipleship and the Gospel of John for the Post-Pandemic World; Blessed Benedictions: Sending Them Home with a Good Word; Faith in Service; 1015; and Spiritual Calcium. He has enjoyed the privilege of speaking and preaching in a variety of contexts nationally.

David is a former Acting Assistant Secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), where he managed a 54-person team and the DOL offices of regulatory policy, programmatic policy, compliance assistance/technology, and economic analysis/research. He staffed and was principal in several White House working groups and represented the U.S. abroad in negotiations in Mexico and Chile. He has served as a counsel to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Government Management and Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and as a legislative aid to several members of Congress.

He has been a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was a founding board member of the Journal of Inter-Religious Studies and is a college fellow at Yale University. David received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University, with a focus on non-profit management, a juris doctor from Northwestern University School of Law, and both a master of divinity with honors and a doctor of ministry in church leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary.

When not engaged in church or child/family-related activities, David enjoys music, movies, dogs, dark chocolate, coffee, dancing, and sports (playing on local tennis teams). David’s wife, Bridget, founded Wiggle Room, a consignment shop in Bethesda, and with their four school aged children and dog, the Grays are proud to be a part of the BHPC family.  David enjoys hearing people’s stories and would love to have a chance to connect with you.

You can send an email to Pastor David at david@bradleyhillschurch.org.