Pastor Donnie graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, majoring in Pastoral Ministry. He also has specialty training in both Addictions Recovery and Biblical Counseling. Having struggled personally with drug addiction in his early 20’s, Pastor has a unique outlook when it comes to ministry.

Donnie & Hannah have been married since 2008, and have served for the past 16 years in various leadership positions within the ministries of RU Recovery Schools of Discipleship & North Love Baptist Church, in Rockford, IL. They have one daughter, Lily, who God miraculously blessed them with after 10 years of infertility.

In the spring of 2022, at nearly the same time that Pastor & Hannah were praying for specific direction regarding their transition into God’s will for a Senior Pastor position, MBC began a search for their next Pastor. Through an amazing story that only God could write, He made a clear path for Pastor Donnie to become the Senior Pastor at Memorial Baptist Church.