Jon Donald

Born where and when: May 6, 1983 in Grand Rapids, MI

Family stats: My wife Anni and I were married May 14, 2005 and have a daughter, Katelyn who was born September 13, 2007.

How I met my spouse: We grew up in the same school and same church. I used to hate her guts! Ask me about it sometime.

Spiritual Gifts: Discernment, leadership and giving.

Education: B.S. in Christian ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University

How I ended up at Kainay: I wasn't even looking for a job.  I called a friend of mine who is a youth pastor about doing an internship with him.  He had gotten an email from Kainay saying that you were looking for a youth pastor that same morning and got me in touch with Chip.  God opened every door for me to come on board; all I had to do was walk through it.  It was kind of serendipitous but no accident.

Favorite:
Music - Rock/alternative
Artist - P.O.D., Switchfoot, Shane and Shane, Foo Fighters, Incubus, Jamie Cullum and more!
Movie or movies - Band of Brothers, Zoolander, Transformers, I am Legend, Tommy Boy and many more!
Food - Cereal, Meat and potatoes, not vegetables, IBC Root Beer, Qdoba, Logans, Red Robbin.  Anything unheathly really.
Book of the Bible - James
Bible Verse - How do you pick just one? Um...2 Kings 2:23-24.  That should keep the students in line.

How I spend my days off: I go hiking and mountain biking alot with my wife and daughter.  I like to go on dates to the movies, the beach or to a sporting event.  I might play Wii, Rockband or watch TV.  Sometimes I read.  I like getting out of the house.  I hate being cooped up!

Tell us about a funny moment either from your childhood or recent: I used to love Superman when I was a kid.  I got Superman underwear for my birthday when I was three and put them on over my clothes.  The I ran upstairs, pulled a towel out of the linen closet, tied it around my neck as a cape and jumped down the stairs.  I didn't fly as much as I fell!

Most powerful book that I've read: Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for Dads.

Best childhood memory: Going to Mackinac Island with my Grandparents.

Prized possessions: College Diploma

Nobody knows that I: Can solve a Rubik's Cube!

Best gift that I ever received: My uncle made custom frames for a living.  For my wedding gift he framed a picture of the historic Engine House No. 5 that used to be on Leonard and Monroe in GR, which was moved to Allendale in 1985.  It is significant because we had our wedding reception there and Anni's dad is a firefighter and works at the current Engine house No. 5.  My uncle passed away four months before my wedding but had finished the picture a few weeks before his death.

IF ONLY:
I could meet - Peter
I could live - Without debt
I could do life over, I would - Not take out so many student loans

How I became a Christian: On a Wednesday night in a pew at Allendale Wesleyan Church in 5th grade during the Children's program called "CYC".

I'd describe my faith as: Unshakable

I can't wait to ask Jesus face-to-face: Is there cereal in heaven?

One thing I Can't stand: I sweat the small stuff so...a lot of things.  But I'm working on getting better about that.