Meet Jonathan

Jonathan

Childhood

I grew up in a Christian family, primarily in the Washington D.C. area. My dad worked for a local television station and my mom as a "stay-at-homer". It was an All-American childhood complete with little league games and back porch cookouts. We attended only two churches in my childhood, my family taking an active role in both.

Conversion

Being raised in a Christian home is a good thing. It can also be a dangerous thing. I knew all the Christian words, the verses, the right way to do things, but I never had a personal relationship with Jesus until the age of 18. Shortly after completing high school I was deeply convicted of my own pride and self righteousness during a service at church. It was then that I turned to God and accepted His Way through Jesus.

Calling

I began growing in the Lord after salvation. I had a new thirst for His Word and for His direction. At 19, I went on a mission trip to South Africa with Teens in Missions Evangelism. Through that trip my eyes saw the need globally and soon after I submitted to God's leading in my life, specifically, helping to start churches and assist in spiritual growth.

After graduating with a B.A. in Biblical Theology (2001), we began the process of preparing to minister overseas. Both Danielle and I felt a deep passion for reaching Africa with the Gospel, specifically Tanzania. It takes quite a load of blood, sweat, and tears to be a missionary these days. I spent two years on staff as an Assistant Pastor at a medium sized church (300) in Delaware. After our internship was complete, we applied and were accepted as missionaries to Tanzania through the Baptist Bible Fellowship International. We then spent another two years fund-raising - presenting our ministry to over a 100 churches across the Eastern half of the U.S. We finally stepped foot on Tanzanian soil the Spring of 2005. We were thrilled to have finally arrived! After six months of intensive language schooling and culture saturation, we joined the team at Neema House. A Manna International feeding center strategically located in the heart of an Islamic community. We poured our lives into our Swahili ministry for the duration of our two year first term. Shortly before our first furlough, we learned that God was giving us a third "gift". The pregnancy was complicated and we were urged to have the baby in the States. From that time to this is a long, winding story that can only reveal the Sovereignty of an Almighty God.

I would love to grab coffee and share the rest of the story with you.

Danielle

We met in college where I was struck by her beauty, humor, and fierce sense of loyalty. We were married in December 1999. Danielle has been successful in the secular world, rising up the ladder in a prominent financial company. She willingly followed me to Tanzania, learning Swahili and dealing with all the demands of 3rd World living. Although she has proven to hold her own in the market place, she feels called to hold her home for the time being. Pouring herself into our marriage and our family.

The Kiddos

We have three children. Toby is our oldest and loves baseball, especially the Baltimore Orioles - just like his daddy. Bristel, the middle child, is convinced she's a fairy princess and consistently makes us laugh with her wit. Trevy, the baby of the bunch, never lets on that he's living with catastrophic epilepsy. He thrills us every day with his courage and smiles.