Joe Donahue
Pastor Joe Donahue, born on February 20, 1973, in Lewiston, Maine, has an inspiring life story. His childhood and ministry experience is an example of God’s transforming, redeeming, Grace.
Joe's early life was marked by significant challenges. Growing up in a troubled home, he suffered verbal and sexual abuse from his alcoholic father. His childhood was marked by his parents divorce, living in a YWCA Shelter for battered and abused families, and hospitalized in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital for three months.
After graduating high school in 1991, Joe visited a church and surrendered his life to Jesus. Jesus radically transformed Joe’s life and filled him with joy and hope which enabled him to forgive his father as Joe grew in his relationship with Jesus.
Following high school, Joe initially worked as a laborer on a brick crew for three and a half years. During this time, his relationship with the Lord deepened, leading him to serve the church in various roles. While in college, he surrendered to full-time ministry in in 1996.
Joe earned a BA in Secondary Education, with a minor in Creative Writing/English, from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN (1995-1999). He then pursued a Master of Divinity in Evangelism and Church Growth from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, (2000-2003) earning 42 credit hours.
In 1999, Joe married Kristy Donahue, the daughter of the Pastor that baptized him. They have been blessed with four daughters: Sofia, Naomi, Violet, and Jessica. Three of his daughters live with Type One Diabetes, their strength is an ongoing source of inspiration for Joe.
Joe’s spiritual gifts of teaching, evangelism, and shepherding, along with his strategic mindset and sense of calling, have been instrumental in his Pastoral journey. He is a vision-caster, critical thinker, innovator, and his problem-solving skills have helped create environments in churches that reflect the fruit of the Spirit.
His pastoral career began at Grace Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, in 1998. Over the years, he has served at various churches, including Carlisle Ave. Baptist in Louisville, KY; Bethany Baptist Church in McDonough, GA; and First Redeemer Church in Cumming, GA. He most recently served as the Co-Lead Pastor at Calvary Baptist in Lake Havasu City, AZ, until he was voted in as the Lead Pastor at Beach Church on December 4, 2022. His ministry at each church saw significant growth and community engagement, marking him as a leader passionate about evangelism and discipleship.
An accomplished speaker and author, Pastor Joe Donahue's ministry reach extends beyond the pulpit. His testimony has been featured on platforms like the 700 Club, and his book, "Urgent: Igniting a Passion for Jesus", continues to inspire many in their spiritual journey.
Pastor Joe is excited about leading Beach Church to continue to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus!