Doing what you love most

Deborah and Jeff Donelan and their two sons, Titus, now 2, and Josiah, 5, are newcomers to McCook, where Jeff has accepted the position of Pastor of Adult Ministries at McCook Evangelical Free Church.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Jeff Donelan majored in music education at Kansas State University, taught for three years and then worked as a foreman in commercial construction for three years before realizing that what he loved doing most was serving the Lord.

Husband to Deborah and father to Josiah, 5, and Titus, 2, Donelan was determined to find a way to do that and support his growing family. While he struggled with exactly how to accomplish that goal, his extended family already suspected what he would eventually come to accept. In fact, his father-in-law knew Jeff was headed to seminary before Jeff and Deborah did.

Donelan earned a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education with an emphasis in church leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary this spring, and has accepted his first full-time position in ministry at McCook Evangelical Church, 602 East 14th, as the Pastor of Adult Ministries.

Adult ministries at E-Free include LifeTeams which facilitate discipleship, leadership and community outreach.

"LifeTeams provide accountability, support, and community." Donelan explained. "It's not just about attendance, it's about growth. We leverage our relationships; growing together, working as a team, to grow more like Christ. The church is a team; we work together as a team in the growth process."

According to Donelan, seminary was an incredible experience.

"I studied under godly men and women who are scholars and care about people," he said. He also served as an intern as part of his studies. "You get the theory in the classroom," he explained, "and then go and apply what you've learned."

"Seeing people grow -- mature in their faith, looking more like Christ each day," is a gratifying part of Donelan's work. He said in wonder, "And to think God lets me be a part of that!"

When he entered seminary, he said, "I had all of the puzzle pieces in my hands, but I didn't know how they all fit together. Seminary made sense of the pieces and showed me how they fit together."

The Donelans arrived in McCook June 9. Deborah has accepted a position at Wilcox Financial Services and, according to Jeff, everyone is settling in well.

Jeff can be reached in his church office Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., on Fridays, at (308) 345-1661.