Donavan is an interpersonal, connector of people to Jesus. His love for people is evident through community, discipleship, mentoring and family values.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Donavan came to faith in Jesus at the young age of eleven, after been introduced by his aunt to the account of Elisha in the book of 2 Kings. His parents naming him ‘Donavan Elisha Jackson’ was a good start to him discovering the God of the Bible.
Donavan grew up on sports. In high school he was the quarterback, pitcher, point guard and triple jumper. From 2009 – 2010 Donavan played football while attending a small private Catholic institution in Waukesha, WI, named Carroll College (now Carroll University). He transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) to start a bible study on campus called “Ignite,” under the leadership of missionary Steve Papez with CRU and The Impact Movement. At UWW, he would graduate with his B.A. in Sociology (2013) and M.S.E. in Higher Education Leadership (2016).
Donavan met his now wife, Lianna, in 2011 as they both participated in track & field at UWW. Interestingly the couple had also previously attended the same high school but, did not connect until their early 20’s, eventually marrying in 2015 at 21 and 22 years old.
In high school and college, Donavan would complete many summer mission trips with The Impact Movement under the leadership of Dr. Charles and Rebecca Gilmer (2008 – 2012). During this time, Donavan was able to work out of the Impact Movement’s national office in Orlando, FL. Here, he would attend Discovery Church – Orlando while visiting for summers.
Donavan worked in Higher Education for almost a decade, which included living on campus as a Hall Director at the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 2016 – 2021. He oversaw a total population of 12,000+ on-campus UCF students and student-athletes during his time.
Married for 8 years, Donavan and his wife Lianna serve at Discovery Church – Orlando and have four children, Ezra (4), Noah (3), Esme (9mo) and one in the oven (due 10/2023).