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FIELD
In 1995 David began working full time at City Mission of Schenectady, primarily in their men's shelter, ministering to homeless men. It wasn't long before he realized God was calling him to inner-city ministry. He was licensed in 1997 to the Gospel ministry at Grafton Baptist Church. Rev. Perry Jones, Executive Director of Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany, told David about Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, located across the river in Troy's most distressed neighborhood.

The church was about to close its doors due to a declining, aging congregation and they had turned to Perry Jones for advice. They were considering donating the property to the Rescue Mission.

A demographic study of Troy's North Central neighborhood taught them what David already knew. The neighborhood had gained the reputation of being the worst in the city of Troy – with a heavy presence of street gangs, drug dealers, prostitution, juvenile delinquents, unwed teenaged mothers – the kind of statistics that caused many businesses and churches to close.

Perry Jones asked the Lewises to consider moving back to Troy to re-start this church with a new name and with David’s new vision. After praying about it, they said yes. David was appointed by Missions Door in November 2005 to plant an urban church in Troy.

FAITH
David was born and raised in Troy, New York, and was exposed to religion from childhood, being raised in a strict Catholic tradition. When he was around the age of 15 he began to sense that there was more to know about God than just “religion.”

When he was 20 and serving in the U.S. Navy, he befriended some men who had an informal Bible study, which he began to attend. That was when he saw that what was missing was a personal relationship with God, and David asked Christ to be his Savior.

Upon returning home to Troy after his Navy duty, and not finding the support system he hoped for, instead of growing in faith he began to backslide. Life hit rock bottom in 1992, and circumstances caused David to understand God wanted him to surrender fully to Christ as his Lord, and so he did. Soon after this, he met Brenda and their friendship blossomed into a committed relationship.

FAMILY
David and Brenda were married in September 1994 and he began serving the Lord – first, as a Sunday school teacher, then as children's church leader. The two also began a children's ministry together. They have two boys: Daniel and Jacob.

EDUCATION
Certificate in Pastoral Studies from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
A.Div. in Pastoral Ministries from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary