Born in 1959 in Co Donegal David is the eldest son of Roland and Kathleen McClay. He has two younger brothers and one younger sister. He grew up in south Donegal attending the Robertson National School in Ballintra and later the Royal School Raphoe. It was after David left school that the faith he had been taught as a child became real to him and real in him.

David continues, "From the moment I was converted God put within me a longing to see others come to know and love Jesus. Coupled to this I long to see people come alive to the renewing work and power of God the Holy Spirit so that christians and individuals are alive with a love and a passion to see God move in power and to see lives and communities changed". After seven years in industry David trained in Trinity College Dublin and was ordained in 1987.

After three years in Magheralin as a curate he was appointed rector of Kilkeel in 1990 where he remained until May 2001 when he was appointed rector of Willowfield. "I long to see christians energised by God the Holy Spirit, I long to see God adding to the church those who are coming to faith. I long to see people mature and grow in Christ. I long to see churches impart their local communities with the Gospel and I long to see more of God's presence and power in Belfast . Willowfield is a challenging place in which to belong. We pray that God's kingdom w3ill increasingly come in this place.