INTRODUCTION:  Amy and I were married on July 16th 2005 in Perth Andover, NB.  It was the best day of my life to that point, and God has been blessing our marriage continuously since then. 

    In May, we moved home to NB to concentrate more fully on our fund raising. Up until then,  Amy and I had been  working for an organization called Christian Horizons. CH provides support, (through group homes, day program, and more), for individuals with special needs. 

OUR STORY: Our story is quite interesting and unique.  You see, Amy and I don't know when we first met.  In fact we are pretty sure we met at a fairly young age but neither of us remembers it.  Although we had many mutual friends, and the same stomping grounds growing up (i.e. Caton's Island and Beulah Camp) we aren't sure just when or how many times we crossed paths.  Our mothers even served together in Wesleyan Women International.  After we started dating we discovered that we had shared a very close childhood friend.  We are not sure of our beginning, but we know we finally became friends at Bethany Bible College in Sussex, NB, in 1997. 

    Amy and I traveled on a music ministry quartet for BBC called "Witness" and had a lot of fun singing together all over the Eastern US and Canada. 

    However, Amy was a freshman at BBC and I was in my senior year, meaning we were heading in different directions.  I graduated in 1998 with two Bachelor of Arts degrees; in Music and pastoral ministry and then went to pastor in North Carolina.  While Amy stayed to finish her BA in Christian Education in 2001.  She then went on to Indiana Wesleyan University for her MA in Community Counseling. 

   After six years of separation, Amy and I connected once again, in the spring of 2004. 

    It all started to fall into place while Amy was serving at Grace International School in Osaka, Japan.  She was there for a year teaching English as a second language while helping to plant a church.  I was serving as youth pastor at North Head Wesleyan Church on Grand Manan.  We were on opposite sides of the planet, but   thanks to the wonders of the internet and MSN Messenger and through a mutual friend from college, Amy and I reconnected after 6 years.  (Thanks Scottie!) 

    The rest, we can say, is history.  That night we typed for 6 hours straight catching up and falling in love, of course we didn't admit that for a while. 

    It all culminated with our engagement on Dec. 21st 2004 followed by our wedding on July 16th 2005.  God made it clear to us both that He has called us to be together and to be partners in His work for the Kingdom.

 OUR PERSONAL VISION + MISSION:   Amy and I both accepted Christ at a young age and were raised in strong Christian and Wesleyan homes.   God called us individually to a life of service in our teen years.  We both knew that God had set us apart for ministry and service to the church. 

    Now as a married couple, we feel that calling stronger than ever before.  Our purpose has never been more clear and our mission is before us. 

  We believe that God has gifted us especially to serve in church ministries and also cross culturally.  In fact, our fit in the NZ East City Wesleyan Church is so clear it's exciting.  God has shaped us for such a time as this!

MUSIC MINISTRY: Amy and I have both used our skills in music to minister throughout our lives.  (It was a music ministry team that first brought us together).  And we believe God has prepared us for music ministry as a team.  We plan to use our gifts in this area to worship God and help to lead and empower His body to do the same in any way He leads in our ministry. 

    With our mutual passion for music ministry, Amy and I will be part of the music core of East City Wesleyan.  Leading the worship and creativity team will be a major part of my job description at ECW. 

YOUTH MINISTRY: I wasn't sure what avenue of service I would have in the church when I graduated from BBC but over the years God has clearly directed me towards a youth ministry focus.  Over the last 10-15 years I have been involved in leading youth ministry and I've loved every minute of it.  Amy is a fantastic addition to this ministry.  She takes what I could do alone to a whole different level.  Amy's relational skills, administration skills, and counseling skills will be an invaluable asset to our work with teens in Auckland and wherever God leads through our lives together. 

COUNSELING MINISTRY:  Personally my counseling skills are left to pastoral and youth counseling but Amy is the real professional of the family.  In Auckland Amy has made contacts with several organizations that offer counseling to individuals on a professional level.  Amy will not only be assisting me with my youth and music ministry, she will be expanding her career as a Christian counselor while in NZ. 

SUMMARY: We plan to serve God with all our heart; soul; mind and strength in all that we do together.  We hope you can share in our lives by partnering with us in our ministry to Auckland, NZ by praying continually for us, and by possibly contributing financially. 

In His Service                  
 Amy and Drew Donovan

    Revelation 7:9-10 gives a clear picture of God's vision for the future.  This is what He sees that could be and should be.  This is also the vision of Global Partners; East City Wesleyan; and this is the vision Drew and I have adopted for our mission to Auckland, New Zealand. 

    Our heavenly Father's vision of the future is a great multitude from every tribe, people, and language standing before  Him  in  praise!    What   better

purpose can we have than seeking that end. 

We are now in Auckland, NZ where Drew is serving as associate pastor at East City Wesleyan Church under the leadership of Rev. Richard Waugh, National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of NZ.  We will be living in Auckland for 2 years as missionaries with Global Partners.