DR. ED KIRKLAND
SENIOR PASTOR

Pastor Ed is passionate about the story God is writing in each person’s life. As our church has grown, he has had the privilege of seeing hundreds of lives saved and changed because of Jesus Christ. As our primary leader and vision-caster, he is responsible for the overall direction and shepherding of the church and staff. He will often refer to Living Faith as a Spiritual Emergency Room. A place where we get to see broken people made whole through Christ. In addition to his weekly preaching, Pastor Ed leads the Discovery Class. Here, those interested in membership hear about our ministries, mission, and vision as a church. Born and raised in Florida, Pastor Ed and Donna began their journey in ministry as volunteers. They worked with children, directed a student ministry, and later served with college students. His career in full-time ministry began at a church in Lewisville, Texas during seminary, as Minister of Young Adult Families. With his and Donna’s heart for outreach and discipleship, and God’s blessing, that group grew to over 100 young, faithful believers.

After that, he served as the pastor of a small church in Florida the next four years. Then, he moved into the role of Senior Pastor at a church in Jacksonville, Florida. Donna was part of the staff during that time overseeing adult groups as well. After seeing God grow that church into a large congregation over fifteen years, Pastor Ed and Donna felt God calling them to New York. In 2004, they stepped out on faith to follow God’s calling as he became Senior Pastor of what was then Wantagh Baptist Church.

At that time, about 400 people took an incredible step of faith to sell their property, build a new facility, relocate, and rename the church to reach more people. On March 21, 2010, we opened our new facility on Hempstead Turnpike in Farmingdale. That day the name changed to Living Faith Christian Church. Today, over 1,400 people come to Living Faith each week from all across Long Island.

Pastor Ed holds a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Theological Seminary and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary. In addition to his role as pastor, he has served as an adjunct professor of New Testament for Bethel Seminary, which is part of Bethel University. Also, he has taught the Bible and trained church leaders in China, Ukraine, Turkey, and England.
DR. ED KIRKLAND
SENIOR PASTOR

Pastor Ed is passionate about the story God is writing in each person’s life. As our church has grown, he has had the privilege of seeing hundreds of lives saved and changed because of Jesus Christ. As our primary leader and vision-caster, he is responsible for the overall direction and shepherding of the church and staff. He will often refer to Living Faith as a Spiritual Emergency Room. A place where we get to see broken people made whole through Christ. In addition to his weekly preaching, Pastor Ed leads the Discovery Class. Here, those interested in membership hear about our ministries, mission, and vision as a church. Born and raised in Florida, Pastor Ed and Donna began their journey in ministry as volunteers. They worked with children, directed a student ministry, and later served with college students. His career in full-time ministry began at a church in Lewisville, Texas during seminary, as Minister of Young Adult Families. With his and Donna’s heart for outreach and discipleship, and God’s blessing, that group grew to over 100 young, faithful believers.

After that, he served as the pastor of a small church in Florida the next four years. Then, he moved into the role of Senior Pastor at a church in Jacksonville, Florida. Donna was part of the staff during that time overseeing adult groups as well. After seeing God grow that church into a large congregation over fifteen years, Pastor Ed and Donna felt God calling them to New York. In 2004, they stepped out on faith to follow God’s calling as he became Senior Pastor of what was then Wantagh Baptist Church.

At that time, about 400 people took an incredible step of faith to sell their property, build a new facility, relocate, and rename the church to reach more people. On March 21, 2010, we opened our new facility on Hempstead Turnpike in Farmingdale. That day the name changed to Living Faith Christian Church. Today, over 1,400 people come to Living Faith each week from all across Long Island.

Pastor Ed holds a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Theological Seminary and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary. In addition to his role as pastor, he has served as an adjunct professor of New Testament for Bethel Seminary, which is part of Bethel University. Also, he has taught the Bible and trained church leaders in China, Ukraine, Turkey, and England.



DID YOU KNOW?
An avid photographer, Pastor Ed has an extensive portfolio of landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. He typically shoots with a Sony Full-Frame Mirrorless camera and a variety of lens. Several of his works are currently displayed throughout our Ministry Center.
Get to know Pastor Ed
Pastor Ed and Donna have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and six beautiful grandchildren.
He and Donna love to travel. Among others, one or both have visited places such as Guatemala, Ukraine, Turkey, Iceland, and China. Donna has served on church staff as well. Today, she leads Jump Start, a ministry to women, men, and couples who are just beginning their faith journey.