Jeff Donnell selected to lead Cooperative Program

The Texas Baptists Office of Cooperative Program welcomed Jeff Donnell as its new director. He transitioned from his prior position with the Adult Ministries Team at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall. He assumed the position on April 13.

Donnell said he truly believes Texas Baptists are better together. 

“My goal [in this role] is to share the story of how God is using Texas Baptists across our great state and beyond,” said Donnell. “As our churches across the state pool resources, we can continue to see lives changed. For instance, I don't know of a single church that helped over 170,500 people through child and human care services last year. But together, Texas Baptists did.” 

Prior to his time at Texas Baptists, Donnell served as pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church through its transition to become the East Dallas campus of Lakepointe Church from 2010 to 2018. In 2018, he took a role on Lakepointe’s adult ministries staff team. Donnell also previously pastored First Baptist Church Andrews from 2003 to 2010. He has a total of 34 years of ministry experience. 

Donnell earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas A&M University and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2001, he earned his Doctor of Ministry in Evangelistic Church Growth from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  

Joshua Minatrea, senior director of Resource Development, said because of Donnell’s experience leading several Texas Baptists churches to engage in cooperative missions and ministries, he knows firsthand the value of the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program. 

“We are blessed to have Jeff serving in this role as we kick off the next 100 years of kingdom impact through the incredible Cooperative Program generosity of Texas Baptists churches,” said Minatrea. “Jeff will focus on building relationships, thanking and listening to pastors and church leaders, and sharing the remarkable story of what God does when we work together for his purposes.” 

Minatrea added that Donnel will also work closely with members of the Cooperative Program Task Force in their work to study, report on and bring recommendations regarding the state of CP giving both today and into the future. 

The Texas Baptists Cooperative Program is a way of combining resources to enable more missions, evangelism and ministry throughout Texas and around the world. Learn more about the Cooperative Program at txb.org/cp.