David Spray

J. David Spray III is a pastor, writer, and recovery mentor with over 35 years of experience guiding people and organizations toward healing, growth, and purpose. With a heart for wholeness and a passion for servant leadership, David has spent his life investing in the success of others—whether in the boardroom, the church, or the recovery community.

David currently serves as the Men’s Recovery and Discipleship Director at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries in Asheville, North Carolina, where he walks daily with men navigating addiction, homelessness, and transformation. His writing and leadership are grounded in the belief that lasting change comes when we align the whole person—mind, body, heart, and soul—with the redemptive love of God.

He has previously served as:

An electrical sales engineer with Eaton Corporation

A nonprofit fundraiser and strategic consultant

A pastor with Biltmore Church and Lake Hills Church

A spiritual formation leader in trauma-informed recovery

David is the creator of the 12:30 Recovery Model and Root12 Framework, and the author of books that span spiritual recovery, discipleship, leadership, and children's storytelling.

Recent and Upcoming Projects:

The Grow Series for Recovery Leaders:

- Grow Forward - Growth Barriers - Non-Silent Cries (Grow Edition) - Growing Together

The Collapse & Courage Series:

- Unfinished Stories, Grief - Non-Silent Cries, Shame - Fallen Fortresses, Poverty and Institutions - Undercurrency, Hidden Economy of the Poor

Fiction - The C-4 Series YA and Adults

- Marked. - Checkmarked. - Watermarked

The Rough Cut: A Full Life for Faithful Men

Tough Guys

Circus Life

Children's Books

- Four Corners Friends Collection: Fruit for Feeling, Fruit for Showing, Fruit for Growing, & Little Stories for Big Emotions

- The Flying Lessons Series – Featuring Skyler, Chop, and Feather

- Ribble’s Red Rivet – A Story of Wholeness and Forgiveness

David lives with his wife in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and they have two college-aged children. David continues to mentor leaders, train recovery staff, and write resources that meet people at their most vulnerable—and call them toward their God-given wholeness.