A Shepherd’s Heart in Action: Celebrating Pastor Jonathan

From his calm and compassionate approach to leadership to his willingness to mentor, counsel, and serve, Pastor Jonathan’s impact is felt in every corner of the church

Pastor Appreciation Month is a time to reflect on the profound impact a spiritual leader can have on a congregation. For our church, that leader is Pastor Jonathan Dignadice, a man whose faith, humility, and servant’s heart inspire all who know him. As a community, we wanted to honor him not only with material gifts, but with words—words that express the deep love, admiration, and gratitude we feel for him every day.

A Shepherd with Calm Strength

From the pulpit to the pews, Pastor Jonathan leads with a rare combination of calmness and conviction. Faye Martnick observes, “Pastor Jon’s calm and loving leadership is very much appreciated. It is so clear that his conviction and strength come from his faith in God. When he speaks from the pulpit, we clearly hear Jesus speaking through him.”

Tina Johnson notes his humility and quiet strength: “I appreciate his servant heart and how he gives so unselfishly of his time. I appreciate his boldness during his teaching and the way he so clearly loves and adores Ruth and his children.” These qualities reflect a leader who balances authority with gentleness—a shepherd guiding his flock with wisdom and grace.

Listening, Leading, and Loving

Pastor Jonathan’s leadership is not just about direction—it’s about collaboration. Tyler Johnson emphasizes, “Pastor Jonathan is a leader who understands the value of listening to feedback, prayer, and keeping the focus on God first. He focuses on the collaborative effort it takes to run a church and does his best to make sure people feel heard while also leading in the direction he feels God is calling his church.”

Jayson Laton adds, “He connects and reaches out to people, believers with illness or difficulties. He is simply a lowly, humble servant who loves serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Whether through counsel, mentorship, or prayer, Pastor Jonathan exemplifies the servant leadership that Christ taught.

Hilda Veturis captures another dimension of his leadership: “Pastor Jon is a visionary who leads his congregation by example. He is kind, caring, patient and loving with a huge servant’s heart. No task is too minor for him. We are beyond blessed to have him as our Pastor.”

A Vision for Community and Relationships

Pastor Jonathan emphasizes relationships, encouraging unity even through conflict. Elizabeth Johnson shares, “I really enjoy that Pastor puts such an emphasis on relationships and not avoiding conflict, but working through it. He helps everyone involved in the church truly feel like they belong to a family of believers and helps the church grow deeper in their relationships with the people around them.”

His vision extends to guiding the church toward growth while developing people’s gifts and strengths. John & Debbie Patterson reflect, “We appreciate Pastor Jon, his calm demeanor, love for our congregation, he’s a shepherd and leader. We love how he is developing people, finding their strengths, and planning for the future of our church.”

A Legacy of Love and Faith

Pastor Jonathan’s faithfulness is evident not only in his ministry but also in his family life. Joyce Tyson and Beverly Dickson note the warmth, dedication, and love that he and Ruth bring to their family and the church. Pete Demonteverde adds a personal note, sharing how his relationship with Pastor Jonathan continues a family legacy of faith and brotherhood: “It just amazes me now how we are serving the Lord together. I’m so thankful to see our sons and daughters extend that loving legacy!”

A Heartfelt Thank You

From sermon guidance to personal mentorship, from pastoral counseling to family devotion, Pastor Jonathan has touched countless lives with his faith, wisdom, and love. Zed Sayo sums it up perfectly: “I’m thankful to the Lord for him being willing to pursue others and having a servant's heart and for being a mentor and friend to me.”

As Pastor Appreciation Month comes to a close, we offer these words as a heartfelt token of our gratitude: Pastor Jonathan, we love you, we honor you, and we thank God for your life and ministry. Your unwavering faith, wise leadership, and loving devotion have guided us, strengthened our community, and deepened our walk with Christ. May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly as you shepherd His flock.