Rev. David Harrison, Jr.
Rev. David Harrison, Jr. is the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He also serves as the Executive Director of New Communion, a faith-based organization with the goal of enhancing community relationships and diminishing the impacts of hunger and food insecurity.
Rev. Harrison has over fifteen years of ministerial experience working in the church, community outreach and hospital chaplaincy. Prior to answering the call to ministry, he worked for several years in management roles in the information technology sector.
His connections to NBA have been many over the years. David participated in his first SENT Seminar in 2018. Then, from 2020-2024, he and New Communion were part of the Incubate Partner program with support that included access to professional consultants, opportunities for learning, grant funding, and a network of peers. David reflects, “(t)o find a community like the NBA that believes in and supports organizations beyond the walls of the local church, I was immediately drawn in. Being a partner with NBA has allowed me to intentionally discover news ways of working and enabled me to be the hands and feet of Christ.”
Rev. Harrison has a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and a Master of Divinity from the Wake Forest School of Divinity.
Why did you say yes to serving on the NBA Board of Trustees?
From the first time I was introduced to NBA up until now, the vision, mission and the people of NBA has represented to me what the phrase “the hands and feet of Christ” actually means. NBA has always had a special place in my heart and my ministry.
NBA’s vision statement is “Creating Communities of Compassion and Care.” What does that mean to you?
To me, this vision is more than a phrase—it’s a call to action. It speaks to the kind of world I want to help build: one where no one is overlooked, where dignity is honored, and where care is not just spoken but shown in tangible ways. My passion for addressing food insecurity lies at the heart of this vision. Food is not just nourishment; it’s a symbol of stability, dignity, and love. This vision means forming spaces—churches, neighborhoods, networks—where compassion moves us to act. “Creating Communities of Compassion and Care” is the foundation of everything I strive for:a world where no one is left hungry- physically, emotionally, or spiritually—because we chose to care deeply and act boldly.
