Dave Smith | KingsGate Community Church

Dave was born in Barking, Essex, in 1963, but spent most of his childhood roaming around the Lee Abbey Estate in Devon, where his father, the retired Bishop of Hertford, was chaplain. Later, his family moved to the Home Counties where, despite some very turbulent teenage years, he continued his education and won a place at Oxford to study Modern History. Dave’s love of academic study has not diminished and two degrees and one doctorate later, he still finds himself looking at study courses he might pursue!

As a student, Dave was invited by some college friends to a service at St Aldates’ Church, and in 1983 he became a committed Christian. His life was radically transformed as he sought to put God first in everything. He married his wife Karen and settled in Oxford and started his postgraduate thesis on the 18th Century evangelist George Whitefield. They became part of a small and lively house church, which eventually led to bring them being invited to Peterborough in 1988 to start a church – which is now KingsGate Community Church.

Dave is an avid Manchester City supporter; he also loves to read, cycle, and spend time at the gym, which is where he gets the best opportunities to share his faith. In 2013, KingsGate celebrated its 25th anniversary, and all these years later, Dave is as excited as ever at all that lies ahead – the best is yet to come!