Paul and Donna Korneliussen
Paul and Donna Korneliussen come to 99 Plus 1 out of the Faith Community Church in Mount Vernon, WA.
Paul has recently retired from his job as a Construction superintendent and brings a total of 32 years of construction experience to 99 + 1.
Donna began her Registered nursing career in 1989. She has worked mostly in the field of Pediatrics specializing in the areas of Pediatric Oncology/hematology and most recently in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit.
Paul and Donna met in December of 1989, while struggling through failed marriages and eventually becoming single parents. With marriages ending in divorce and trying to find themselves and God in situations that seemed so far away from everything that God honored. The Lord seemed so distant, not understanding how God could allow a Christian’s marriage to fall apart.
Their return path to the Lord was difficult because of lifestyles to which they had become accustomed. But thanks to the owner of a day care center where Paul’s children were, the return to Christ and church came to pass. With time they began to attend Overlake Christian Church which eventually led to helping to build an outreach church in a near by town.
Their growth and nurturing continued as they became youth leaders and stayed in the new church’s ministry for 8 years. It was during this time that Donna became involved with short term mission trips with the youth as well as participated in medical mission trips to Belfate, Honduras. Paul began using his faith through Prisoners for Christ, mentoring youth in prison. Their Children became involved in missions through the youth movement in the church. Their middle daughter, Amber, is currently serving the Lord through YWAM in Australia. Lindsey, the youngest, lives and serves in Santiago, Chile, teaching English at a language institute. Their oldest son Patrick recently became ordained and is the senior Pastor in his first church in Lisbon, NY. Their daughter Jenny has a God based marriage and they are raising two beautiful children. Their son Jason lives and works in Bellingham, WA. In spite of a background that could have led down other paths, God has truly blessed their family and they are eternally grateful for his mercy and goodness as He healed and strengthened them.
The Lord began to speak to them about becoming involved with long term missions. They began to pray and seek the Lords guidance on where and when to begin serving. In a step of faith they sold their home in Bothell, Wa. and bought a 700sq ft cabin in Mount Vernon, WA with a goal to be debt free and able to pursue a call to missions.
They became involved with 99plus1 through connections in their home church, Faith Community Fellowship in Mount Vernon, WA. Paul took a trip with the men from the church and fell in love with the ministry. He came home and told Donna that she needed to see this place. The following October the church took a mixed team of men and women down and they both immediately knew that this is where they are supposed to be. Both feel God has placed San Felipe and 99plus1 in their hearts and are very excited to begin working in whatever capacity is needed. They are ready to begin the journey as full time missionaries, scared, anxious, but completely trusting in our Lord and Savior to complete what he has started in them.
They both have a heart for the lost, particularly with youth. Paul and Donna are very excited to be involved with the orphanage that is currently being built in San Felipe. But have said “We will serve in whatever way the Lord decides to use us. Grateful completely to be in his service.”
