Donald Johnston, Jr. was born in Ozark, Arkansas and raised by his parents, Donald and Barbara along with his younger brother, Michael, in a small town of about 200 called Ratcliff. This area was chosen because it was close to both families and the church where Don Sr had come to begin his relationship with Yahweh. Most of life during these years centered around church and extended family. Most of the family were Baptists, so they attended Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Ozark for about seventeen years.

Pastor Donald began asking questions about God (Yahweh), the Bible, why things were the way they were, doctrine, etc, around age seven. His parents answered what they could and encouraged him to ask the pastor. Relationship with the Father was sought early on with an ever increasing desire for more. At age nine, while attending church camp, Donald received Christ. This opened a whole new realm of possibilities! Within the Baptist faith this meant learning as much Bible and doctrine as possible. So always taking notes from the services, reading books and the Bible, being at every church event, choir, etc. was a great desire and practice. Then before his fifteenth birthday, Yahweh began speaking to him about His direction for Donald’s life.

Yahweh revealed to Donald that the anointing placed on his life was for ministry. Fifteen seemed to be a young age, but Yahweh made no distinction. Without doubt or hesitation he knew the anointing to be that of a pastor. Within the Missionary Baptist faith this was the only way to manifest this anointing. Calvary Church proceeded to license him whereupon Donald began serving as a fill-in minister, regional youth group leader, revivalist, teacher, etc. Still the study and search for more of Yahweh continued. He knew that attending college and seminary would be his future as part of the preparation for full-time ministry. So everything was focused in that direction.

During college at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Pastor Donald became friends with his future wife, Tammy. They worked together in the Baptist Student Union and a mission trip one summer. But they went different directions for several years. During this time Donald graduated from college and attended seminary receiving degrees from both. His travels and following Yahweh’s voice took him to Illinois for a couple of years where he worked with the Missionary Baptist churches there. Tammy had moved to southern Missouri after attending John Brown University and began working for the Wal-Mart home office. This period of time saw major attacks in both their lives and against their purpose as ordained by Yahweh. And by Yahweh’s hand they were brought together again as friends and finally married in 1997. After eight years, it was time for a new beginning.

Moving back to Arkansas was a must for the couple. Northwest Arkansas was where Yahweh directed both their hearts. There was opportunity for employment and a church home. After finding a Missionary Baptist Church in Siloam Springs and being released as leadership, they made their home in Gravette and began working for the Wal-Mart Home Office. Their next adventure was moving to Siloam Springs. Yet Yahweh had another direction planned for them. An opportunity arose for Pastor Donald to take a position at John Brown University with the possibility of teaching. This was a dream and his heart’s desire. He had taught at a private school in Little Rock many years before, but always dreamed of being a university instructor. He began working for JBU and later became an English professor for a few years. Tammy received the opportunity to work with JBU and their radio station, KLRC, after about a year of Donald starting there. They never realized this would be instrumental in their introduction to the Kingdom and what else Yahweh had prepared for them.

During this period the couple worked at JBU, served their church leading the youth and children’s ministry, choir, etc. Yahweh kept placing them around spirit-filled people through new friendships, mentorships, and work with another company where many of the people in that particular office were Spirit-filled, etc. It introduced Pastor Donald to an aspect of Yahweh he had been taught to consider childish and empty. But these people demonstrated a depth of the Father Donald did not know and could not explain away. He wanted more. One night while “helping” a family with financial training, he asked them to lay hands on him to receive the Holy Spirit. This was life-changing! Nothing would ever be the same. A hunger for and an understanding of Yahweh began changing. Someone had to be found who could impart more. So a search began which lead them to Tulsa where they joined a ministry learning how to live as Spirit-filled people. There they became part of the ministry leadership. Yahweh worked a mighty change in them during this time by opening them up to more of Him. There had to be someone to be a “mentor” as they understood it at that time.

Then one day a man came to KLRC, calling himself an apostle to purchase advertisements and air time. Tammy suggested they consider the church he was starting based on what she heard from this man. The radio spots were intriguing and full of truth. They were drawn to this ministry and man. Finally in February 2002 Donald agreed to visit this church since the weather made it difficult driving to Tulsa. The Spirit and the message drew them and captivated their spirits. There was real life here, change, growth, and a great desire for the purpose of Yahweh. This is where the couple was directed by the Spirit to join. So they met with their current pastor seeking his counsel. He then released them to The Rock of Northwest Arkansas under the leadership of Apostle Todd Murner. This is where the real release into and understanding of the Kingdom of Yahweh began. Now the time of understanding sonship, not mentoring, began. Real spiritual and physical freedom started.

Changes began quickly in their lives. In 2003 Tammy started working as a part-time secretary for The Rock, where she continues to serve today. Within a couple years of that they purchased a home in Springdale to be closer to the ecclesia. Donald started a home inspection business at the word of Yahweh leaving JBU after seven years. In July 2006 Donald came on staff part-time to help with cleaning, computers, and sound production at The Rock. Then in November of that year he was ordained as a pastor at the Rock of Northwest Arkansas. Yahweh had redeemed His purpose in and through Pastor Donald by setting him and Tammy on the path He had chosen.

Today, the couple ministers with Apostle Todd and the presbytery of the Rock of Northwest Arkansas. Both are on staff part-time, and Donald operates his company. They have moved beyond their dreams into the fulfilled purpose of Yahweh awaiting and following His daily direction.