Dr. Ravi and Mrs. Mercy David will serve OMSC as senior mission scholars in residence for the 2016–2017 year.
Dr. David is adjunct professor of pastoral theology, counselling, spiritual formation, management, and leadership on the master’s and doctoral levels at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India, and at a seminary in Indonesia. He and his wife, Mercy, a teacher and mentor of women, equip and encourage mission leaders primarily in India and the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. David’s ministry includes seminary teaching, preaching, mentoring, counselling and facilitating member care for mission leaders through church and mission networks that include the India Missions Association, the World Evangelical Alliance’s Global Member Care Network, and The Mission Society. His PhD dissertation (2009) for the University of Auckland, New Zealand discussed “Critical Issues Affecting Indian Christian Mission Leaders and Their Implications for Pastoral Care” and was published as Mission Possible: Challenges for Indian Christian Mission Leaders in the Twenty-First Century (2014).
Mrs. David, who received a Master of Education in Educational Administration (2007) from Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, was a teacher and later school headmistress (1983–2004) in Bangalore. She was involved with leading the prayer ministry of Operation Mobilization in the state of Karnataka and ministered to students and graduates through the Union of Evangelical Students of India, serving as the association’s Karnataka president and as a member of the national board.
Dr. David also worked as South Asia regional secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (2001–2009) and SGM Lifewords (1998–2005). He was auxiliary secretary (1992–1995) of the Bible Society of India, in the state of Karnataka.
After nine years in New Zealand, the Bangalore natives and their children moved, in December 2012, to Atlanta, Georgia. They have four children and a granddaughter.