The new president of the Methodist Church in Ireland assumes his role this week. Rev David Turtle was named as the incoming leader at the Church’s assembly in 2022, and will undertake the role until mid-2024.

 A graduate of Queen’s University, Rev Turtle grew up in County Tyrone, working on his father’s farm before recognising a call to ministry. 

Ordained in 2009 at the Methodist Conference in Dublin, he has been stationed in Ballynahinch Methodist Church, Trinity Methodist Church in Lisburn and most recently in Seymour Street Methodist in Lisburn where he is also the Superintendent of the Lagan Valley and South Down Circuit.

As well as working as a minister in local churches, the Rev Turtle has served as Convenor of the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church in Ireland as well as on the Executive of the European Methodist Council and latterly as a council member of the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe.

Speaking ahead of his installation, the Rev Turtle said: “I hope that I’ll be able to draw alongside people and actually just be there to encourage our connection, to encourage individuals to keep walking in the way of Jesus, and to encourage the church to step forward into whatever God has for us next.”

Reflecting on the Church today, the Rev Turtle said: “The Church isn’t in the same privileged position of influence in which it once was, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the Church. We have real opportunities to engage with people in their daily lives and find new ways to do that well.”