I am the friend you may not have met yet. If we haven’t met call me; I would love to meet you. One of the great joys of my life is getting to know folks.
I’m a country boy from the hills of Western Pennsylvania. I grew up on a diversified beef and hog farm in the coal regions near Punxsutawney, Pa. (the home of the great weather forecasting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil). That farm life developed my desire to work hard, make the best of what you are blessed with, appreciate family and friends and lend a hand when someone else needs your help. I married my high school sweetheart who grew up the same way and had similar values. Janet (who has a nursing degree) and I have been married for 40 years. We have a daughter (Janine Patton, married to Dallas) and a son (Brandon , married to Kayla) and are members of CCF too. We have four beautiful grandchildren (Treslynne and Lincoln Patton and Lena and Ethan Winebark). The Patton’s are expecting their third (Yahoo!!!).
I have a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education and a Master’s Degree in Animal Science from Penn State University. After graduating from Penn State, I sold drugs for two years (animal health drugs that is) for Upjohn Pharmaceutical Co. I then returned for my master’s while serving as a teaching assistant and coaching the PSU Livestock Judging Team. From there I served 10+ years with the University as a Cooperative Extension Agent. During that time Janet and I felt called to raise up a ministry to the youth in our home area (predominantly rough and tumble kids off the streets), which we ran for 10+ years. It grew to serving about 75+ kids for us and is continuing strong to this day.
We came to Texas to attend a Discipleship Training Course at Mercy Ships in the spring of 2001 and soon found out that God was calling us to be a part of the worldwide ministry of Mercy Ships. We attended CCF that first Sunday and God confirmed CCF was where he wanted us to be and we haven’t budged from it. At Mercy Ships God has provide me with the opportunity to share my love for Christ and Agricultural skills in impacting lives across the globe as we train in-country organizations how to effectively contribute to improved nutrition and farming incomes while sharing Jesus! After all good nutrition is the best medicine for the body and Jesus is the best medicine for the soul! Janet shares her expertise as the Work Place Giving Specialist in Mercy Ships Donor Services Department.
We are honored to be a part of CCF and serve as your Elder. I solicit your prayers as I serve you and the church. Please pray that we will all always remember that the power behind us is greater than the task ahead of us. And that we lean on Jesus and know he’s got us!
Don Wolven