David P. Kingdon was born into a non-Christian home in London. His father developed much of Streatham but had lost his property empire when he was killed in October 1940 when the house was bombed. The rest of the family were living in seaside Sussex. David was evacuated at the age of five to rural Northamptonshire, where he was befriended by a godly Christian couple who gave him a Bible, taught him the gospel, and prayed for him.
In late 1944 he went to Spurgeon’s Orphanage where he heard the same gospel. He passed the entrance exam of Reigate Grammar School, and on the strength of his Advanced level results was awarded a State Scholarship. He was accepted at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he read history.
David was converted in November 1949 at the age of fifteen, and a year later felt God’s call to the ministry. After completing his degree he went on to Spurgeon’s College to train for the ministry. After three years as an assistant minister in Purley, London (Banstead Road Baptist Church and Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, 1960-63), he became, at twenty-eight, the principal of the Irish Baptist College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, tasked with drawing up the curriculum, gathering students, and gaining the support of the churches. He served there for twelve years and then went to South Africa as co-pastor of Lynnwood Baptist Church, Pretoria (1974-78), where he had the special responsibility of helping African pastors to gain a better knowledge of the Bible.
Returning to the UK because of the failing health of his parents, he pastored Mount Zion English Baptist Church, Cardigan, Wales (1978-84). He then spent some time as Theological Books Editor of Inter-Varsity Press (UK). Prior to his retirement in 1999 he was Managing Editor of the Bryntirion Press of the Evangelical Movement of Wales.
His book Mysterious Ways: The Providence of God in the Life of Joseph, based upon sermons preached at Mount Zion Baptist, was published by the Trust in 2004.