David McCleary

Rev. David McCleary spent his early years running from God's call—until the love of God finally caught up with him. Since surrendering to that early sense of calling he felt on his life, he has dedicated over two decades to ministry in traditional churches, innovative missions, and everywhere in between across Ontario and internationally.

David currently serves as Head of Spiritual Care at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, where he tends to souls in crisis—patients, families, and staff alike. His pastoral journey has wound through youth ministry, senior pastor roles, outreach work, and hospital chaplaincy, always asking the same question: "What is God up to in the world, and how do we join in?"

Drawing from his rich tapestry of experience—frontline worker, school teacher, psychology major, seminary-trained pastor, spiritual counselor, Canadian minority, and martial artist—David believes the sacred shouldn't be confined to Sunday mornings. He works to make God's kingdom accessible in hospital rooms, boardrooms, and living rooms alike.

When not serving as an on-call Baptist chaplain, guest preaching, or advising seminaries, as well as his role on the CBOQ board of directors, you'll find David sharing meals with friends and strangers, exploring questions of faith and life, and all the while being kept honest by his wife Anna and three school-aged children.

David is convinced that God's family is beautifully messy—multi-ethnic, complicated, grace-filled, and always making more room at the table. His mission? Helping people discover that God's love isn't just for Sundays, but for every moment of every day, through all of life's stages—the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything gloriously in between.