Our Staff

The Reverend David Edwards

Rev. David Edwards, is the pastor of the Church of the Covenant. Ordained by the Disciples of Christ, David has over 30 years of service in the ministry. David, and indeed the entire Church of the Covenant Community, places a very high value on service to the community. David is an advocate for children and with another mission group founded a community center for children and adults in downtown Lynchburg called the Festival Center. He is an accomplished musician and the author of sacred and secular music. David, who has studied Zen and other contemplative traditions, has discovered and demonstrated how these practices strengthen rather than dilute Christian practice. To learn more about David's music visit davidledwardsmusic.com

Phil Boyce

Phil Boyce is a former commercial litigation attorney from northern New Jersey who embraced Zen Buddhism as his faith at the age of 33. As a lay person in a monastic religion, Phil is one of an increasing number of Americans who are learning how incorporate authentic Zen into their non-monastic lives. Phil’s work at the retreat center is rooted in his belief that people of deep faith can support and nurture each other even when they have significant disagreements over doctrine. Like David, Phil is committed to working with youth and is the Program Director for Camp Kum-Ba-Yah. He recently founded Camp Kum-Ba-Yah’s Mountain Path Adventure Education program which provides outward bound style experiences to at-risk teens.