About
David grew up in small towns in the Midwest, the middle son of a minister and therapist. He first felt called to serve as a janitor of a homeless shelter that his father founded in Evansville, Indiana.
After graduating from the University of Miami Music and Theater Conservatory, he moved to New York City to be an actor and singer. He witnessed 9-11 on the morning of an audition, and was forever changed. He began regularly visiting asylum seekers in detention centers on the outskirts of NYC airports.
The courage and resilience of his detained friends inspired David to quit acting, and become the coordinator of Sojourners Detention Visitation Ministry through the Riverside Church, the group that helped inspire the independent film, The Visitor.
He returned to school, graduating from Union Theological Seminary (Masters of Divinity) and Columbia University (Masters in Human Rights) with focus on the intersection of religion and human rights. He also lived at the International House NYC during graduate school, where he served as President of the Resident’s Council. During this time, he became an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ, representing the UCC at the United Nations and serving as a human rights volunteer in Bolivia, Kenya, and East Timor. After graduation, David worked in the field of interfaith cooperation with the National Council of Churches and Interfaith America.
Most recently, he served as Executive Director of FaithAction International House, a nonprofit organization that serves thousands of immigrants and refugees, while educating and connecting diverse communities across lines of culture and faith – turning strangers into neighbors.
Over his decade of service, FaithAction’s innovative and impactful programs received international recognition and were replicated in cities across the nation. His work has been lifted up in numerous news articles, academic journals, social impact studies, and government reports.
He has also received numerous awards including: the Game Changer Award from the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, El Centro Hispano’s Gilbertson-Clarke Visionary Award, and the Traditioned Innovation Award from Duke’s Center for Faith and Leadership. Upon leaving Greensboro, he was honored through a Special Resolution from the Greensboro City Council for his decade of dedicated service.
David now lives in the Chicagoland area with his wonderful family, while working as the Executive Director of Lumunos, and serving as part time minister of two rural UCC churches. His recent coaching and consulting work includes projects for the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Health, and Sturdy Shelter Brewing.
