Dr. David A. Anderson 

Dr. David Anderson was born in Washington, DC the son of a Baptist preacher. In 1984, empty and dissatisfied after years of seeking fulfillment in the ways of the world, David finally committed his heart and life to Jesus Christ at age 18. At that time, God gave him a powerful desire and calling to preach.

After 2 years at a local DC college where he became the first black president of the student body, he transferred to Moody Bible Institute. During his first year there David served as class president, then as student body president the following year. He became the first African American in the history of Moody to be elected to this position as well as to be reelected and complete a second term.

At age 20, while continuing his studies, he obtained his license to preach and accepted the position of Assistant Pastor at the Near North Baptist Church in the inner city of Chicago. David also served as Assistant Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years.

After graduating with a B.A. in Pastoral Studies with a Greek Language Emphasis, he served full-time on staff at Willow Creek Community Church (15,000 strong in attendance then) as a pastoral intern. During this period David served on the Alumni Board of Directors for the Moody Bible Institute where he was elected to serve as President of the Board during his second term.

His internship at Willow Creek in conjunction with his quality education and ample leadership experience prepared him in fulfilling his dream to plant and pastor a racially integrated church. In 1991, David formed a church planting team, which brought him to Columbia, MD, where his vision for an integrated, non-denominational Church in the DC area was finally realized.

In 1992, Bridgeway Community Church was born, which David Anderson currently pastors. David completed his master's degree at Moody Graduate School in 1998 and his doctor of Philosophy in Sociology and Religion at Oxford Graduate School in 2001. He has advanced to the level of Fellow in the Oxford Society of Scholars in 2003 toward a second doctorate.

Dr. Anderson is the founder and president of a consulting and resource organization called the BridgeLeader Network and a professor of cultural diversity at the University of Phoenix, Columbia campus. He has co-authored a book titled Letters Across the Divide: Two Friends Explore Racism, Friendship and Faith, which has generated media interest nationwide through exposure on over 2000 radio stations and television appearances, which include Black Entertainment Television (BET), CSPAN, TBN, and ABC, promoting his message of diversity. Dr. Anderson hosts a live radio show, called Reconciliation Live! on the largest Christian radio station in the nation’s capital. His new book, Multicultural Ministry: Finding Your Church’s Unique Rhythm, will be in bookstores by March 2004. He is a highly sought after conference speaker, lecturer, and consultant on local, national and international levels. He resides with his wife, Amber, and three children, Isaiah, Luke and Asia, in Ellicott City, Maryland.