Current Status: Alumni
Graduation Year: 1987
Jon Taylor (BA ’87) grew up in a small town in Missouri. When he was 10 years old, his parents were asked to serve as interim missionaries in Zimbabwe. He remembers the experience to be eye-opening; learning about other cultures outside of their small town was fascinating. Little did he know, that experience would come full circle in his later years.
After attending a local Missouri bible college for two years, Jon transferred to HIU. During his first day on campus, he met his wife-to-be, June (BA ’86).
“Simply moving from Missouri to Southern California was quite a new cultural experience for me,” says Jon. “HIU played a significant role in my life. I love the school and the people I met there.”
Jon and June graduated with Business Management degrees and began their careers as HIU staff members, Jon in Admissions, and June in the Business office. Following Jon’s time at HIU, he worked as Network Administration for 3 years.
He and his wife were always involved at their home church, Knott Avenue Christian. After years of volunteering in the youth ministry, John prayerfully transitioned into his career in church ministry. His first ministry position was as an Associate Minister at Hope Christian Church in Tustin.
The Taylors eventually moved to Arizona, where Jon served in the role of Lead Pastor at First Christian Church in Phoenix, Arizona, for 10 years. Jon also helped lead several short-term mission trips to Guinea, Kenya, and Mexico. He was mentored by Tony Stoltzfus, a member of Coaching Mission International (CMI), an organization that equips mission’s leaders through leadership coaching and coach training.
Jon’s connection with CMI blossomed over the years, and eventually he was offered their Executive Director position. Jon accepted. His love for missions that began as a 10-year-old has culminated to this.
As a business major turned minister, Jon acknowledges that his business degree has been very helpful in ministry and in developing leadership skills. He is also a Consultant for CSA Perspective and is a Certified Trainer with Leading From Your Strengths. “I never imagined I’d spend the majority of my career in ministry,” he chuckles.
“What I enjoy most about working with CMI is serving missionaries and being a part of the process of seeing God grow people,” Jon shares. “I feel like being in this role (at CMI) is the fulfillment of everything God has called me to do. I am making good use of my God-given talents.”
