Resilience in a Climate of Comfort

Jonathan comes to WDBC from the Outback of Bourke, NSW, where he served five years as pastor of the Bourke Christian Church and recently became an Australian citizen. Born and raised in Yorba Linda, California (USA) - birthplace of Richard Nixon - Jonathan left sunny Orange County for the windy city of Chicago to attend Wheaton College as an undergraduate student. Along with earning a bachelor's degree in political science, there Jonathan more importantly met his beloved wife, Joanna, who would later graduate with a degree in spiritual formation and Christian ministry. In 2004 the couple was married and moved to Washington, D.C., where Jonathan worked as a legal assistant to the Hon. Kenneth W. Starr. A little over a year into their marriage, Jonathan discerned a call to ministry and moved back to Chicago, IL to pursue seminary training for pastoral ministry. Three years later Pastor Jonathan returned to California with two degrees (M.Div, Th.M Church History) and one child (Ellie) to add to their family. After exploring church planting opportunities through an internship with Ambassador Church (Brea, CA), Jonathan followed the Lord's call to pastor in Bourke, NSW Australia. Entering their 11th year of marriage, Joanna and Jonathan now have four children, with the Lord adding three boys (Elijah, Joshua, and Noah) to change their small family into a large one. After spending time with his family, Jonathan enjoys sport (NFL, NBA), news, and technology.