My name is David Leach and I live in a small village in South Londonderry with my wife, Julie and three children. After nearly fifteen years serving in local congregations in PCI, I was appointed Professor of Ministry and Director for the Institute of Ministry. In my role I have particular responsibilities in the training of our ministry students, alongside those serving as Assistant ministers and in the early years, post–Ordination.
I grew up in East Belfast and am a city boy at heart, having trained as a primary school teacher and served for nearly a decade in two inner–city primary schools. I studied at Stranmillis College but got my education in Avoniel Primary School as a young, naïve teacher. During my formative years I was blessed by the work and witness of a boys–only bible class in Knock and greatly influenced by the commitment of the leaders and the time they took in what, we would call today, small–group discipleship. Having grown up in a Christian home, where both of my parents had served overseas as missionaries, I resisted the call to ministry until my early 30s and following studies in the Edinburgh Theological Seminary and Union Theological College, Belfast, I was called to be the Associate Minister of Hamilton Road, Bangor where I served on a growing staff for nearly nine years. In 2015 we moved to Magherafelt where I became the minister of Union Road and Lecumpher. These were six, incredibly happy, years, when God taught me much about leading congregations through times of change and challenge, whilst watching Him work in the lives of members of the congregation. And so, I come to my role with a love for Christ’s church and a deep desire that our students are adequately–equipped and prepared to grapple with God’s Word, learning how to apply it pastorally and effectively to those in our congregations, in the context of ever–changing culture.
I am an avid sports fan, watching my family play sport and Glentoran try and play football, on a Saturday, but have been known, in recent years, to turn out as a wicketkeeper for Maghera Cricket Club (the MCC). I enjoy reading biographies, crime novels and taking off for long walks with our lively cocker–spaniel, Murphy.