Jonathan Robbins, Lead Pastor

Email: [email protected]

Family: Married to Donna on July, 1994. Two daughters: Morgan (14) & Maggie (10)

Personal History: “Born'd and raised” mostly in North Carolina. I’ve also lived in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia. But, there is NO doubt, I’m a Tar Heel to the core. I placed my trust in Christ as my Savior when I was six. I grew up in a broken home; my parents divorced when I was 18. In college, God turned my world “upside down” in all the right ways. I met my gorgeous wife in college (on a “blind date”), and we’ve been married for over 15 awesome, life-packed years. In April 2004 God led our family to the Triad and The Summit, and we are thrilled to be here fully convinced that even greater experiences are ahead.

Educational & Ministry History: Bachelors in Pastoral Ministries: Liberty University; Master of Arts in Religion: Liberty University; Master of Divinity: Southeastern Seminary. I have been serving in a pastoral role in local churches for over 14 years, but really feel I’m only getting started.

Key People: My wife, Donna: She has taught me how to love (and still is); she is my constant encourager, sounding board, buddy, and co-worker in the ministry; she is my spiritual inspiration as I witness her daily walk with God; she’s more than I deserve! My Mom: she equipped me with confidence and a sense of accomplishment in the midst of very real, difficult opposition; she is a continuous mentor; she showed me unconditional love and has modeled the values of persistence and dedication. There are so many others, but you don’t have that much time – many blessed relationships, many life friends.

Fun Stuff: Eating dinner alone with Donna – splitting whatever we order, family trips, fishing (any kind, especially fly fishing for trout in a NC mountain stream), camping (in a tent “down by the river”), hunting, basketball, exploring in the woods, hiking, music (almost any of it), reading.

Favorites: Watching my Maggie laugh, watching my Morgan act in dramas/plays, discovering new restaurants with Donna, the mountains, UNC Tar Heels, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Braves (since the ‘80’s), Allison Kraus & Union Station, tight vocal harmonies, ribs, hot wings, a good cup of coffee, autumn, Thanksgiving Holiday, and chocolate crème pie shakes from Sonic.

Makes me laugh: Seinfeld, Far Side cartoons, Chris Farley, Monty Python’s “The Holy Grail,” and Duke Blue Devil fans.

The Inside Scoop: I enjoy shopping with my wife. I drink coffee only for the taste, really. I am a cancer survivor and an accomplished kidney-stone survivor. I once killed a fly in mid-air with an ink pen (It’s a great story!).

Books you should read: “How Good is Good Enough” by Andy Stanley; “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson; “The Problem of Life with God” by Tommy Nelson; “A Grace Disguised” by Jerry Sittser; “Running on Empty” by Fil Anderson

Before I die: I want to take my wife on the dream vacation of her life. I want to go on a fishing trip to Alaska during the King Salmon runs. I want to own a log cabin by a trout stream in the North Carolina mountains. I want to go to the Holy Lands/ Israel. And I’d like to write a book titled, “Saving Christians From Christianity”.