David Bush
David Bush was born in 1972 and grew up in a delightful Christian family situated in the Canadian countryside not far from Toronto. He became aware of his need for God’s saving grace at a very young age. However, during his early university years David questioned God’s very existence, rejected his childhood faith, and proceeded to live life on his own terms. But God mercifully protected him, and even prospered him throughout this time. After a few years, David began to see that science and reason were altogether consistent with faith in God. And so, while a graduate student in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Toronto, he began to study the Scriptures so that he could understand Christianity more deeply. He became convinced of the Bible’s truth, and started to attend a Presbyterian church.
David met Natalie in 2000 not long after these events. Natalie was seeking a statistics tutor, and found David to be a very skilled and compassionate teacher—little did he know how valuable his statistics training would prove to be! They quickly discovered their mutual gratitude and love for Jesus Christ, became close friends, and got engaged exactly one year from the day they met. After an academic year apart, with David in Toronto and Natalie in New York, they were married, at last, in June 2002. They moved to New York as a newlywed couple later that year.
David finished his PhD shortly after they were married, and began working as a researcher in the lab of Joseph LeDoux at New York University’s Center for Neural Science. Still there, he is taking a lead role in research that investigates how the brain underlies emotional memory processes. He and Natalie love New York City, and have dedicated themselves to what God is accomplishing here through the Village Church. David brings a potent combination of sensitive spirit and powerful mind to the helm of the Village Church. He oversees the Bridging Ministries of the church, which direct the congregation outward to engage their city. David also provides oversight for the Village Church finances, as well.